Drag-Controlled Regime Transitions in the Eddy Saturation Mechanism of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current

Abstract

Eddy saturation -- the weak sensitivity of Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) transport to wind stress -- is a fundamental feature of Southern Ocean dynamics, yet the processes that maintain this state remain debated. Previous studies have proposed different mechanisms, including adjustments of eddy diffusivity and standing meanders, but the conditions under which each mechanism dominates are unclear. Here we use an idealized reentrant channel model to examine how drag strength controls the eddy saturation. When the wind strength relative to friction is below a certain threshold, eddy saturation is governed by a combination of standing meander and eddy diffusivity adjustments; once the threshold is exceeded, it is governed solely by standing meander adjustment. These results suggest that changes in drag strength may account for the divergent eddy saturation mechanisms reported across studies.