Cross-shelf variability in the Iberian Peninsula Upwelling System: Impact of a mesoscale filament

Finally, we estimate that mesoscale filaments, although being less extended meridionally than the upwelling front itself (∼40% of the length of the front) are responsible for a greater offshore transport of chlorophyll (∼60% of total cross-shelf exchanges) over the Iberian system. Despite the favourable wind pulses advecting westward the successive upwelling fronts, self-propelled filaments provide permanent offshore transport, even under wind relaxation period, thus playing a major role in cross-shelf exchanges.