scholarly journals Deep learning to infer eddy heat fluxes from sea surface height patterns of mesoscale turbulence

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom M. George ◽  
Georgy E. Manucharyan ◽  
Andrew F. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Satellite Altimetry ◽  
Sea Surface Height ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Eddy Heat Flux ◽  
Global Ocean Circulation

AbstractMesoscale eddies have strong signatures in sea surface height (SSH) anomalies that are measured globally through satellite altimetry. However, monitoring the transport of heat associated with these eddies and its impact on the global ocean circulation remains difficult as it requires simultaneous observations of upper-ocean velocity fields and interior temperature and density properties. Here we demonstrate that for quasigeostrophic baroclinic turbulence the eddy patterns in SSH snapshots alone contain sufficient information to estimate the eddy heat fluxes. We use simulations of baroclinic turbulence for the supervised learning of a deep Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to predict up to 64% of eddy heat flux variance. CNNs also significantly outperform other conventional data-driven techniques. Our results suggest that deep CNNs could provide an effective pathway towards an operational monitoring of eddy heat fluxes using satellite altimetry and other remote sensing products.

scholarly journals Modulation of ocean acidification by decadal climate variability in the Gulf of Alaska

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudine Hauri ◽  
Rémi Pagès ◽  
Andrew M. P. McDonnell ◽  
Malte F. Stuecker ◽  
Seth L. Danielson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Gulf Of Alaska ◽  
Sea Surface Height ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Wind Stress Curl

AbstractUptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by the surface ocean is leading to global ocean acidification, but regional variations in ocean circulation and mixing can dampen or accelerate apparent acidification rates. Here we use a regional ocean model simulation for the years 1980 to 2013 and observational data to investigate how ocean fluctuations impact acidification rates in surface waters of the Gulf of Alaska. We find that large-scale atmospheric forcing influenced local winds and upwelling strength, which in turn affected ocean acidification rate. Specifically, variability in local wind stress curl depressed sea surface height in the subpolar gyre over decade-long intervals, which increased upwelling of nitrate- and dissolved inorganic carbon-rich waters and enhanced apparent ocean acidification rates. We define this sea surface height variability as the Northern Gulf of Alaska Oscillation and suggest that it can cause extreme acidification events that are detrimental to ecosystem health and fisheries.

An estimate of global ocean circulation and heat fluxes

Nature ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 382 (6590) ◽  
pp. 436-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison M. Macdonald ◽  
Carl Wunsch
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Global Ocean Circulation

Multidecadal Change of the South Pacific Gyre Circulation

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1871-1883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean Roemmich ◽  
John Gilson ◽  
Philip Sutton ◽  
Nathalie Zilberman
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Sea Surface Temperature ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
Sea Surface Height ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
The South ◽  
South Pacific Gyre

AbstractMultidecadal trends in ocean heat and freshwater content are well documented, but much less evidence exists of long-term changes in ocean circulation. Previously, a 12-yr increase, 1993 to 2004, in the circulation of the South Pacific Subtropical Gyre interior was described. That analysis was based on differences between early Argo and 1990s hydrographic data and changes in sea surface height. Here, it is shown that the trend of increasing circulation continues through 2014, with some differences within the Argo decade (2005 to 2014). Patterns that indicate or are consistent with increasing equatorward transport in the eastern portion of the South Pacific Gyre are seen in Argo temperature and steric height, Argo trajectory velocity, altimetric sea surface height, sea surface temperature, sea level pressure, and wind stress. Between 2005 and 2014 the geostrophic circulation across 35°S, from 160°W to South America, was enhanced by 5 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) of added northward flow. This was countered by a southward transport anomaly between the date line and 160°W. Corresponding temperature trends span the full 2000-m depth range of Argo observations. The 22-yr trend, 1993 to 2014, in sea surface height at 35°S, 160°W is 8 cm decade−1. Trends in sea surface temperature over 34 yr, 1981 to 2014, show a similar spatial pattern to that of sea surface height, with an increase of 0.5°C decade−1 at 35°S, 160°W. These multidecadal trends support the interpretation of the 40°S maximum in global ocean heat gain as resulting from anomalous wind forcing and Ekman convergence.

Detection of Magnetic Signals from Ocean Circulation with Satellite Altimetry and Magnetometer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Hornschild ◽  
Jan Saynisch-Wagner ◽  
Christopher Irrgang ◽  
Johannes Petereit ◽  
Maik Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Satellite Altimetry ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Sea Surface Height ◽  
Ocean Model ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Time Behavior ◽  
Electrically Conducting ◽  
Magnetic Signatures ◽  
Electromagnetic Signals

<p>Electrically conducting sea-water moves through Earth's magnetic field and generates electromagnetic signals itself. These signals can be detected by space borne Earth observation technologies, like the Swarm satellite magnetometer mission. In contrast to already successfully detected ocean tidal magnetic signatures, the magnetic signals from ocean circulation are still unidentified in observations. However, the electromagnetic signals from the ocean circulation would be an additional, interesting source of information.<br>We propose, that satellite altimetry can be helpful in order to detect magnetic signals from ocean circulation. Sea surface height measurements allow to estimate depth-integrated current velocities by using the geostrophic approximation, which describes a balance between sea surface height gradients and horizontal currents. With the resulting integrated electric current density, the magnetic signals from ocean circulation can be calculated using an electromagnetic induction solver. In a further step, the estimations are a basis for the  separation of magnetometer observations and for data assimilation.<br>Therefore, it is necessary that the geostrophic approach reflects the realistic time behavior of electromagnetic signals from ocean circulation. Ocean model data allows to verify this approach with respect to the identification of magnetic signals from ocean circulation in satellite magnetometer observations. We present this analysis and report about the feasibility of this approach regarding the Swarm mission and possible future missions.</p>

Interannual to Decadal Changes in the ECCO Global Synthesis

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Köhl ◽  
D. Stammer ◽  
B. Cornuelle
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
World Ocean ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Sea Surface Height ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
The World

Abstract An estimate of the time-varying global ocean circulation for the period 1992–2002 was obtained by combining most of the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) ocean datasets with a general circulation model on a 1° horizontal grid. The estimate exactly satisfies the model equations without artificial sources or sinks of momentum, heat, and freshwater. To bring the model into agreement with observations, its initial temperature and salinity conditions were permitted to change, as were the time-dependent surface fluxes of momentum, heat, and freshwater. The estimation of these “control variables” is largely consistent with accepted uncertainties in the hydrographic climatology and meteorological analyses. The estimated time-mean horizontal transports of volume, heat, and freshwater, which were largely underestimated in the previous 2° optimization performed by Stammer et al., have converged with time-independent estimates from box inversions over most parts of the World Ocean. Trends in the model’s heat content are 7% larger than those reported by Levitus and correspond to a global net heat uptake of about 1.1 W m−2 over the model domain. The associated model trend in sea surface height over the estimation period resembles the observations from Ocean Topography Experiment (TOPEX)/Poseidon over most of the global ocean. Sea surface height changes in the model are primarily steric but show contributions from mass redistributions from the subpolar North Atlantic Ocean and the Southern Ocean to the subtropical Pacific Ocean gyres. Steric contributions are primarily temperature based but are partly compensated by salt variation. However, the North Atlantic and the Southern Ocean reveal a clear contribution of salt to large-scale sea level variations.

scholarly journals Double-diffusive mixing makes a small contribution to the global ocean circulation

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carine G. van der Boog ◽  
Henk A. Dijkstra ◽  
Julie D. Pietrzak ◽  
Caroline A. Katsman
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Small Contribution ◽  
Global Ocean Circulation ◽  
Diffusive Fluxes ◽  
Diffusive Mixing ◽  
Diffusive Processes ◽  
Flowing Waters ◽  
Double Diffusive

AbstractDouble-diffusive processes enhance diapycnal mixing of heat and salt in the open ocean. However, observationally based evidence of the effects of double-diffusive mixing on the global ocean circulation is lacking. Here we analyze the occurrence of double-diffusive thermohaline staircases in a dataset containing over 480,000 temperature and salinity profiles from Argo floats and Ice-Tethered Profilers. We show that about 14% of all profiles contains thermohaline staircases that appear clustered in specific regions, with one hitherto unknown cluster overlying the westward flowing waters of the Tasman Leakage. We estimate the combined contribution of double-diffusive fluxes in all thermohaline staircases to the global ocean’s mechanical energy budget as 7.5 GW [0.1 GW; 32.8 GW]. This is small compared to the estimated energy required to maintain the observed ocean stratification of roughly 2 TW. Nevertheless, we suggest that the regional effects, for example near Australia, could be pronounced.

The Role of Oscillating Southern Hemisphere Westerly Winds: Global Ocean Circulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 2111-2130
Author(s):  
Woo Geun Cheon ◽  
Jong-Seong Kug
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
The North ◽  
Westerly Winds ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
Global Ocean Circulation ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
The North Pacific

AbstractIn the framework of a sea ice–ocean general circulation model coupled to an energy balance atmospheric model, an intensity oscillation of Southern Hemisphere (SH) westerly winds affects the global ocean circulation via not only the buoyancy-driven teleconnection (BDT) mode but also the Ekman-driven teleconnection (EDT) mode. The BDT mode is activated by the SH air–sea ice–ocean interactions such as polynyas and oceanic convection. The ensuing variation in the Antarctic meridional overturning circulation (MOC) that is indicative of the Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) formation exerts a significant influence on the abyssal circulation of the globe, particularly the Pacific. This controls the bipolar seesaw balance between deep and bottom waters at the equator. The EDT mode controlled by northward Ekman transport under the oscillating SH westerly winds generates a signal that propagates northward along the upper ocean and passes through the equator. The variation in the western boundary current (WBC) is much stronger in the North Atlantic than in the North Pacific, which appears to be associated with the relatively strong and persistent Mindanao Current (i.e., the southward flowing WBC of the North Pacific tropical gyre). The North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) formation is controlled by salt advected northward by the North Atlantic WBC.

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