Westward branching of LIW induced by Algerian anticyclonic eddies close to the Sardinian slope

The interaction between anticyclonic Algerian eddies and Levantine Intermediate Water (LIW) flow is investigated along the western Sardinian slope by analysing in situ data and model results. In March-April 2001, LIW flowed northward inshore the isobath 2000 m. At about 30 km far offshore. LIW was more distributed in patches than in a vein, and there this variability was associated with a distant anticylonic eddy. In May 2002, the situation was very different: LIW was also patchy inshore from the 2000 m isobath. On horizontal sections, LIW was observed in a relative wide latitudinal hand (similar to 50 km) centred on similar to 40 degrees N, in the southern pail of an anticyclonic eddy located over the slope. This study shows that mesoscale structures can disturb the LIW flows along the Sardinian slope by diverting a part of LIW flow westward.