Seminar: Boundary currents in the Indian Ocean

The seminar on biogeochemical and ecological impacts of boundary currents in the Indian Ocean will be presented by Prof Raleigh Hood (University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, USA). He is the chair of SIBER (an international research programme in the Indian Ocean) and is currently visiting Australia on sabbatical.

The seminar on biogeochemical and ecological impacts of boundary currents in the Indian Ocean will be presented by Prof Raleigh Hood (University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, USA). He is the chair of SIBER (an international research programme in the Indian Ocean) and is currently visiting Australia on sabbatical.

Boundary currents mediate the transfer of global and regional forcing to local coastal scales. In this process, they fundamentally alter biogeochemical fluxes and ecosystem processes. In the northern Indian Ocean, several boundary current systems are seasonally reversing (Somali Current, West and East India Coastal Currents,Java Current). These reversing surface currents are unique to monsoon-driven systems and although their transports are relatively small, they have profound biogeochemical and ecological impacts. The southern currents (Agulhas and Leeuwin) both flow poleward throughout the year. The transport of the Leeuwin Current is also relatively small but the poleward direction is unique among eastern boundary currents of the southern hemisphere and it has many unusual biogeochemical and ecological impacts. In contrast, the transport of the Agulhas Current is huge and it retroflects south of the African continent to return eastward where it induces upwelling and enhances primary production.