scholarly journals Squeeze Dispersion and the Effective Diapycnal Diffusivity of Oceanic Tracers

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 5378-5386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory L Wagner ◽  
Glenn Flierl ◽  
Raffaele Ferrari ◽  
Gunnar Voet ◽  
Glenn S Carter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diapycnal Diffusivity

scholarly journals Spring Mixing: Turbulence and Internal Waves during Restratification on the New England Shelf

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (12) ◽  
pp. 2425-2443 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. MacKinnon ◽  
M. C. Gregg
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Internal Waves ◽  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Wave Interaction ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Surface Mixed Layer ◽  
Turbulent Dissipation ◽  
Surface Heat Fluxes ◽  
Bottom Boundary Layers ◽  
Diapycnal Diffusivity

Abstract Integrated observations are presented of water property evolution and turbulent microstructure during the spring restratification period of April and May 1997 on the New England continental shelf. Turbulence is shown to be related to surface mixed layer entrainment and shear from low-mode near-inertial internal waves. The largest turbulent diapycnal diffusivity and associated buoyancy fluxes were found at the bottom of an actively entraining and highly variable wind-driven surface mixed layer. Away from surface and bottom boundary layers, turbulence was systematically correlated with internal wave shear, though the nature of that relationship underwent a regime shift as the stratification strengthened. During the first week, while stratification was weak, the largest turbulent dissipation away from boundaries was coincident with shear from mode-1 near-inertial waves generated by passing storms. Wave-induced Richardson numbers well below 0.25 and density overturning scales of several meters were observed. Turbulent dissipation rates in the region of peak shear were consistent in magnitude with several dimensional scalings. The associated average diapycnal diffusivity exceeded 10−3 m2 s−1. As stratification tripled, Richardson numbers from low-mode internal waves were no longer critical, though turbulence was still consistently elevated in patches of wave shear. Kinematically, dissipation during this period was consistent with the turbulence parameterization proposed by MacKinnon and Gregg, based on a reinterpretation of wave–wave interaction theory. The observed growth of temperature gradients was, in turn, consistent with a simple one-dimensional model that vertically distributed surface heat fluxes commensurate with calculated turbulent diffusivities.

scholarly journals Enhanced diapycnal mixing by polarity-reversing internal solitary waves in the South China Sea

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Gong ◽  
Haibin Song ◽  
Zhongxiang Zhao ◽  
Yongxian Guan ◽  
Kun Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South China Sea ◽  
Solitary Wave ◽  
Solitary Waves ◽  
South China ◽  
The South China Sea ◽  
Internal Solitary Wave ◽  
Internal Solitary Waves ◽  
Diapycnal Mixing ◽  
Dongsha Atoll ◽  
Diapycnal Diffusivity

Abstract. Shoaling internal solitary waves near the Dongsha Atoll in the South China Sea dissipate their energy and thus enhance diapycnal mixing, which have an important impact on the oceanic environment and primary productivity. The enhanced diapycnal mixing is patchy and instantaneous. Evaluating its spatiotemporal distribution requires comprehensive observation data. Fortunately, seismic oceanography meets the requirements, thanks to its high spatial resolution and large spatial range. In this paper, we studied three internal solitary waves in reversing polarity near the Dongsha Atoll, and calculated the spatial distribution of resultant diapycnal diffusivity. Our results show that the average diffusivities along three survey lines are two orders of magnitude larger than the open-ocean value. The average diffusivity in the internal solitary wave with reversing polarity is three times that of the non-polarity-reversal region. The diapycnal diffusivity is higher at the front of one internal solitary wave, and gradually decreases from shallow to deep water in the vertical direction. Our results also indicates that (1) the enhanced diapycnal diffusivity is related to reflection seismic events; (2) convective instability and shear instability may both contribute to the enhanced diapycnal mixing in the polarity-reversing process; and (3) the difference between our and previous diffusivity profiles is about 2–3 orders of magnitude, but their vertical distribution is almost the same.

Observations of Turbulent Mixing During a Nonstratification Period in the Yellow Sea

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-197
Author(s):  
Yunli Nie ◽  
Xin Luan ◽  
Hua Yang ◽  
Xu Chen ◽  
Dalei Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Turbulent Mixing ◽  
Yellow Sea ◽  
Dissipation Rate ◽  
Distribution Functions ◽  
Cumulative Distribution ◽  
The Yellow Sea ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Entire Water Column ◽  
Diapycnal Diffusivity

Abstract Microstructure profiling measurements collected at the continental shelf of the Yellow Sea (35°38'N, 121°20'E) from December 4 to 5, 2019, were analyzed by focusing on the characteristics of turbulent mixing in the Yellow Sea and its associated influencing factors. The vertical thermohaline structure of the water column was nonstratified during the observation period, resulting in the vertically and temporally consistent distribution of turbulence dissipation and diapycnal diffusivity. The average (in time and space) dissipation rate and diapycnal diffusivity were 2.95 × 10−8 W kg−1 and 1.86 × 10−4 m2 s−1, respectively. In the vertical distribution, intense mixing occurred near the sea surface and within the bottom layers. The temporal variation in dissipation exhibits a diurnal variation that was strongly affected by surface buoyancy flux and wind energy, and a high amount of dissipation was observed at night, with an average dissipation rate of 2.45 × 10−8 W kg−1, which was almost one order of magnitude higher than that in the daytime (3.55 × 10−9 W kg−1). The cumulative distribution functions of the dissipation rate and diapycnal diffusivity across the entire water column during the measurement period could be parameterized by a lognormal distribution model. Further analysis shows that the dissipation rate was positively related to wind speed and rotational barotropic tidal velocity. Compared with the rotating tidal current, wind-driven turbulence was able to penetrate the surface, thereby causing layer mixing throughout the entire water column (R = 0.71), and is a dominant driver of elevated turbulent mixing during wintertime.

Diapycnal diffusivity induced by the breaking of lee waves

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Eriksen ◽  
Carsten Eden ◽  
Dirk Olbers
Keyword(s):  
Internal Wave ◽  
Internal Waves ◽  
Energy Flux ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Diapycnal Mixing ◽  
Overturning Circulation ◽  
Lee Waves ◽  
Lee Wave ◽  
Wave Energy Flux ◽  
Diapycnal Diffusivity

<p>A key component in setting the large scale ocean circulation is the process of diapycnal mixing, since this can drive the meridional overturning circulation. Diapycnal mixing in the interior ocean is predominantly associated with the breaking of internal waves. Traditionally, diapycnal mixing has been represented in ocean models by a diapycnal diffusivity either constant or exponentially decreasing with depth. This approach, however, does not take into account the actual physics behind the breaking of internal waves. The energetically consistent internal wave model IDEMIX (Internal wave Dissipation, Energetics and MIXing), on the other hand, computes diffusivities directly on the basis of internal wave energetics. One such type of internal waves are lee waves. These are generated and subsequently dissipated when geostrophic currents interact with bottom topography and are therefore believed to be a source of energy for deep ocean mixing. In this study IDEMIX is coupled to a 1/12<sup>th</sup> degree regional model of the Atlantic. The lee wave energy flux is calculated and used as a bottom flux at each time step effectively allowing lee waves to propagate, interact with mean flow and waves, and subsequently dissipate. This setup enables not only an estimate of the lee wave energy flux but also a direct investigation of the influence of lee waves on dissipation, stratification and horizontal and overturning circulation.</p>

Internal Tides and Turbulence along the 3000-m Isobath of the Hawaiian Ridge

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1165-1183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig M. Lee ◽  
Thomas B. Sanford ◽  
Eric Kunze ◽  
Jonathan D. Nash ◽  
Mark A. Merrifield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Model ◽  
Dissipation Rate ◽  
Internal Tide ◽  
Internal Tides ◽  
Energy Fluxes ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Turbulent Dissipation ◽  
Model Average ◽  
Diapycnal Diffusivity ◽  
Hawaiian Ridge

Abstract Full-depth velocity and density profiles taken along the 3000-m isobath characterize the semidiurnal internal tide and bottom-intensified turbulence along the Hawaiian Ridge. Observations reveal baroclinic energy fluxes of 21 ± 5 kW m−1 radiating from French Frigate Shoals, 17 ± 2.5 kW m−1 from Kauai Channel west of Oahu, and 13 ± 3.5 kW m−1 from west of Nihoa Island. Weaker fluxes of 1–4 ± 2 kW m−1 radiate from the region near Necker Island and east of Nihoa Island. Observed off-ridge energy fluxes generally agree to within a factor of 2 with those produced by a tidally forced numerical model. Average turbulent diapycnal diffusivity K is (0.5–1) × 10−4 m2 s–1 above 2000 m, increasing exponentially to 20 × 10−4 m2 s–1 near the bottom. Microstructure values agree well with those inferred from a finescale internal wave-based parameterization. A linear relationship between the vertically integrated energy flux and vertically integrated turbulent dissipation rate implies that dissipative length scales for the radiating internal tide exceed 1000 km.

scholarly journals A new method for forming approximately neutral surfaces

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-470
Author(s):  
A. Klocker ◽  
T. J. McDougall ◽  
D. R. Jackett
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Simple Algorithm ◽  
New Method ◽  
Neutral Density ◽  
Potential Density ◽  
Diapycnal Diffusivity ◽  
Layered Models

Abstract. We introduce a simple algorithm to improve existing density surfaces to ensure that the resulting surfaces are as close to neutral as possible. This means the slopes at any point on the surfaces are close to neutral tangent planes – the directions along which layered stirring and mixing occurs – minimizing the fictitious diapycnal diffusivity. Inverse techniques and layered models have been used for decades to understand ocean circulation. The most-used density surfaces are potential density or neutral density surfaces. Both these density surfaces and all others produce a fictitious diapycnal diffusivity to some degree due to the helical nature of neutral trajectories – with the magnitude of this artificial diffusivity in some cases being larger than the values measured in the ocean. Here we show how this error can be reduced by up to four orders of magnitude and therefore becomes insignificant compared to measured values, thus providing surfaces which would produce more accurate results when used for inverse techniques.

scholarly journals The dependence of upper ocean gyres on wind and buoyancy forcing

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tongya Liu ◽  
Hsien-Wang Ou ◽  
Xiaohui Liu ◽  
Yu-Kun Qian ◽  
Dake Chen
Keyword(s):  
Wind Forcing ◽  
Upper Ocean ◽  
Subpolar Gyre ◽  
Meridional Temperature Gradient ◽  
Buoyancy Forcing ◽  
Vertical Diffusivity ◽  
Ocean Gyres ◽  
Eddy Heat Transport ◽  
Diapycnal Diffusivity

AbstractA series of numerical simulations with different forcing conditions are carried out, to investigate the roles played by buoyancy and wind forcing on the upper ocean gyres, and to contrast the laminar and eddying regimes. Model experiments show that the buoyancy-driven eastward geostrophic flow tends to suppress the formation of the wind-driven subpolar gyre, but the northward eddy heat transport can homogenize the subpolar water and reduce the meridional temperature gradient by about two-third, thus counteracting the buoyancy effect and saving the subpolar gyre. For the subtropical gyre, its transport is enhanced by eddy mixing, and the role of buoyancy forcing is very sensitive to the choice of diapycnal diffusivity. Our results suggest that eddy effects must be considered in the dynamics of the subpolar gyre, and vertical diffusivity should be selected carefully in simulating the basin-wide circulations.

Regimes of Thermocline Scaling: The Interaction of Wind Stress and Surface Buoyancy

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 2009-2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Cessi
Keyword(s):  
Potential Energy ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Heat Transport ◽  
Wind Stress ◽  
Wind Stress Curl ◽  
Available Potential Energy ◽  
Ekman Flow ◽  
Diapycnal Diffusivity ◽  
Surface Buoyancy

Abstract The role of the relative geometry of mechanical forcing (wind stress) and buoyancy forcing (prescribed surface temperature) in the maintenance of the main thermocline is explored. In particular, the role of the wind stress curl in enhancing or suppressing the generation of baroclinic eddies is studied in simplified domains. The dependence of key quantities, such as the depth of the thermocline and the maximum heat transport, on the external parameters such as diapycnal mixing and dissipation rate is examined. Qualitatively different regimes are found depending on the relative phase of the wind stress and surface buoyancy distribution. The most efficient arrangement for eddy generation has Ekman pumping (suction) in conjunction with high (low) surface buoyancy. This corresponds to the situation found in the midlatitudes, where the surface Ekman flow carries heat toward the warmer region (i.e., upgradient of the surface temperature). In this case, strong eddy fluxes are generated in order to counteract the upgradient heat transport by the Ekman cell. The result is a thermocline whose depth is independent of the diapycnal diffusivity. However, the competition between these opposing heat fluxes leads to a weak net heat transport, proportional to the diffusivity responsible for the diabatic forcing. This arrangement of wind stress provides a large source of available potential energy on which eddies can grow, so the mechanical energy balance for the eddies is consistent with a substantial eddy heat flux. When the same surface temperature distribution is paired with the opposite wind stress curl, the mean flow produces a sink, rather than a source, of available potential energy and eddies are suppressed. With this arrangement, typical of low latitudes and the subpolar regions, the Ekman overturning cell carries heat downgradient of the surface temperature. Thus, the net heat transport is almost entirely due to the Ekman flow and is independent of the diapycnal diffusivity. At the same time the thermocline is a thin, diffusive boundary layer. Quantitative scalings for the thermocline depth and the poleward heat transport in these two limiting cases are contrasted and successfully compared with eddy-resolving computations.

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