Abstract
This thesis explores the dynamics of ocean vortices and atmospheric cold pools using advanced data-science methods and high-resolution simulations. Leveraging open-source principles and high-performance computing, we address scientific challenges, develop new software, and combine large datasets. The study underscores the pivotal role of submesoscale vortices in nutrient flux and their influence on phytoplankton blooms in the North Atlantic, accompanied by the development of an open-source biogeochemical module for ocean circulation models. A novel global dataset for examining the vertical structure of mesoscale eddies is also developed, with an emphasis on accessibility and reproducibility. Additionally, we analyze vertical mixing patterns in anticyclones and cyclones, illuminating the significance of mesoscale eddies for the internal-wave mixing in the ocean interior. Further, we investigate atmospheric cold pools in the Bay of Bengal, revealing their propagation, height distribution, and strong association with rainfall and air-sea fluxes, highlighting their critical role in climate models. In summary, this dissertation offers in-depth analyses, data-driven approaches, and a dedication to open science, advancing our understanding of oceanic and atmospheric dynamics and their broader implications for Earth system processes.