Wavelet analysis of Brazil Malvinas Confluence variation forced by wind pseudostress in different locations
Brazil Malvinas Confluence (BMC) region is one of the most energetics of the world and presents a high variability. The latitude of the confluence is well marked by the annual cycle: it is found more to the north during the austral winter and more to the south in the austral summer. Many studies were made about the variability of BMC and its possible forcing mechanisms. Thus, the aim of this study is to better understand the confluence variability and its relation to wind stress forcing in different locations. The latitude of BC separation from the coast was used as a proxy of BMC. It was obtained through the interception point between 18ºC isotherm and 1000 m isobath. SST data was obtained from NOAA OISSTv2 and the zonal wind pseudostress data was extracted from CCMP project of NASA/GSFC/NOAA. The BC separation latitude presents a pronounced southward trend of 0.43º/year (±0,24), during the analyzed period. Both wind pseudostress series present negative trends too: - 2.4 m²s-2/year (±0,96) in CBM region and 0.36 m²s-2/year without significance in Drake Passage. The wavelet analysis was used for each time series, and the XWT and WTC was performed using the zonal wind pseudostress for the BMC and Drake Passage region with the BC separation latitude. The winds in BMC region could be related directly to the local annual variation, and the winds in Drake Passage are responsible for the interannual variation, and, after 2004, a significant semiannual variation.