Mesoscale eddies play a central role in ocean dynamics, transporting tracers and influencing biological productivity. Along the South Brazil Bight, the Cape Frio region ( \(\sim \) 23°S) stands out as a hotspot for cyclonic eddy generation due to instabilities in the Brazil Current. Those eddies, namely Cape Frio Eddies (CFEs), grow as quasi-stationary meanders and can propagate southwestward. In this study, we analyzed the dynamics and surface biological impacts of CFEs using 29 years (1993-2022) of satellite altimetry and 25 years (1997–2022) of satellite-derived chlorophyll-a data. 89 CFEs were identified, 64% of which traveled a distance greater than 111 km ( \(\sim \) 1 latitudinal degree) from their formation, with an average propagation superior to 500 km southwestward. These propagating eddies exhibited larger radii and longer lifespans (nearly four months on average) compared to the non-propagating eddies. No significant seasonal variation in their formation or propagation was detected. Interactions with remotely generated anticyclones were found to trigger the propagation and enhance the CFEs’ propagation distance and persistence. Eddy-centric chlorophyll-a composites anomalies revealed positive values at the core of propagating eddies, consistent with trapping and pumping of potentially enriched waters. In contrast, retained eddies showed chlorophyll-a enhancement driven by lateral stirring. These results highlight the ecological importance of CFEs in linking coastal and oceanic ecosystems and reinforce the value of satellite observations in assessing mesoscale eddies’ biophysical roles.
