In several previous studies the role of mesoscale eddies on water
mass variability in the SO has been suggested (Lee et al., 1997; Lachkar
et al., 2009). Langlais et al. (2011) reported the freshening and cooling
of the SAMW due to cold-core eddies detached from PF and SAF. The
deep-reaching eddies can also modify the watermass characteristics in
areas where mode and intermediate waters are formed (Morrow et
al., 2004; Herraiz‐Borreguero and Rintoul, 2010). A striking feature
noticed both in the CE and ACE was a freshening of AAIW. As a key
component of the upper branch of the MOC, the freshening may have
important implications on a global scale. Hence, a detailed study on
the mechanism of freshening of AAIW due to the formation of these
eddies would be useful in fully understanding the potential impact of
climate change and variability on the ocean circulation and global
climate.