Lagrangian eddy kinetic energy of ocean mesoscale eddies and its application to the Northwestern Pacific

Abstract The Leeuwin Current is a poleward-flowing eastern boundary current off the western Australian coast, and alongshore momentum balance in the current has been hypothesized to comprise a southward pressure gradient force balanced by northward wind and bottom stresses. This alongshore momentum balance is revisited using a high-resolution upper-ocean climatology to determine the alongshore pressure gradient and altimeter and mooring observations to derive an eddy-induced Reynolds stress. Results show that north of the Abrolhos Islands (situated near the shelf break between 28.2° and 29.3°S), the alongshore momentum balance is between the pressure gradient and wind stress. South of the Abrolhos Islands, the Leeuwin Current is highly unstable and strong eddy kinetic energy is observed offshore of the current axis. The alongshore momentum balance on the offshore side of the current reveals an increased alongshore pressure gradient, weakened alongshore wind stress, and a significant Reynolds stress exerted by mesoscale eddies. The eddy Reynolds stress has a −0.5 Sv (Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) correction to the Indonesian Throughflow transport estimate from Godfrey’s island rule. The mesoscale eddies draw energy from the mean current through mixed barotropic and baroclinic instability, and the pressure gradient work overcomes the negative wind work to supply energy for the instability process. Hence the anomalous large-scale pressure gradient in the eastern Indian Ocean drives the strongest eddy kinetic energy level among all the midlatitude eastern boundary currents.

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Simulations of Nearshore Particle-Pair Dispersion in Southern California

Journal of Physical Oceanography ◽

10.1175/jpo-d-13-011.1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 43 (9) ◽

pp. 1862-1879 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Leonel Romero ◽

Yusuke Uchiyama ◽

J. Carter Ohlmann ◽

James C. McWilliams ◽

David A. Siegel

Keyword(s):

Kinetic Energy ◽

Southern California ◽

Separation Distance ◽

Horizontal Resolution ◽

Particle Dispersion ◽

Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽

Relative Dispersion ◽

Numerical Resolution ◽

Relative Diffusivity ◽

Pair Separation

Abstract Knowledge of horizontal relative dispersion in nearshore oceans is important for many applications including the transport and fate of pollutants and the dynamics of nearshore ecosystems. Two-particle dispersion statistics are calculated from millions of synthetic particle trajectories from high-resolution numerical simulations of the Southern California Bight. The model horizontal resolution of 250 m allows the investigation of the two-particle dispersion, with an initial pair separation of 500 m. The relative dispersion is characterized with respect to the coastal geometry, bathymetry, eddy kinetic energy, and the relative magnitudes of strain and vorticity. Dispersion is dominated by the submesoscale, not by tides. In general, headlands are more energetic and dispersive than bays. Relative diffusivity estimates are smaller and more anisotropic close to shore. Farther from shore, the relative diffusivity increases and becomes less anisotropic, approaching isotropy ~10 km from the coast. The degree of anisotropy of the relative diffusivity is qualitatively consistent with that for eddy kinetic energy. The total relative diffusivity as a function of pair separation distance R is on average proportional to R5/4. Additional Lagrangian experiments at higher horizontal numerical resolution confirmed the robustness of these results. Structures of large vorticity are preferably elongated and aligned with the coastline nearshore, which may limit cross-shelf dispersion. The results provide useful information for the design of subgrid-scale mixing parameterizations as well as quantifying the transport and dispersal of dissolved pollutants and biological propagules.

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Numerical simulation and decomposition of kinetic energy in the Central Mediterranean: insight on mesoscale circulation and energy conversion

Ocean Science ◽

10.5194/os-7-503-2011 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 503-519 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

R. Sorgente ◽

A. Olita ◽

P. Oddo ◽

L. Fazioli ◽

A. Ribotti

Keyword(s):

Numerical Simulation ◽

Kinetic Energy ◽

Energy Conversion ◽

Ocean Model ◽

Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽

Tyrrhenian Sea ◽

Central Mediterranean ◽

Baroclinic Energy Conversion ◽

Sicily Channel ◽

Mean Kinetic Energy

Abstract. The spatial and temporal variability of eddy and mean kinetic energy of the Central Mediterranean region has been investigated, from January 2008 to December 2010, by mean of a numerical simulation mainly to quantify the mesoscale dynamics and their relationships with physical forcing. In order to understand the energy redistribution processes, the baroclinic energy conversion has been analysed, suggesting hypotheses about the drivers of the mesoscale activity in this area. The ocean model used is based on the Princeton Ocean Model implemented at 1/32° horizontal resolution. Surface momentum and buoyancy fluxes are interactively computed by mean of standard bulk formulae using predicted model Sea Surface Temperature and atmospheric variables provided by the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast operational analyses. At its lateral boundaries the model is one-way nested within the Mediterranean Forecasting System operational products. The model domain has been subdivided in four sub-regions: Sardinia channel and southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Sicily channel, eastern Tunisian shelf and Libyan Sea. Temporal evolution of eddy and mean kinetic energy has been analysed, on each of the four sub-regions, showing different behaviours. On annual scales and within the first 5 m depth, the eddy kinetic energy represents approximately the 60 % of the total kinetic energy over the whole domain, confirming the strong mesoscale nature of the surface current flows in this area. The analyses show that the model well reproduces the path and the temporal behaviour of the main known sub-basin circulation features. New mesoscale structures have been also identified, from numerical results and direct observations, for the first time as the Pantelleria Vortex and the Medina Gyre. The classical kinetic energy decomposition (eddy and mean) allowed to depict and to quantify the permanent and fluctuating parts of the circulation in the region, and to differentiate the four sub-regions as function of relative and absolute strength of the mesoscale activity. Furthermore the Baroclinic Energy Conversion term shows that in the Sardinia Channel the mesoscale activity, due to baroclinic instabilities, is significantly larger than in the other sub-regions, while a negative sign of the energy conversion, meaning a transfer of energy from the Eddy Kinetic Energy to the Eddy Available Potential Energy, has been recorded only for the surface layers of the Sicily Channel during summer.

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Numerical simulation and decomposition of kinetic energies in the Central Mediterranean Sea: insight on mesoscale circulation and energy conversion

Ocean Science Discussions ◽

10.5194/osd-8-1161-2011 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 1161-1214 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

R. Sorgente ◽

A. Olita ◽

P. Oddo ◽

L. Fazioli ◽

A. Ribotti

Keyword(s):

Numerical Simulation ◽

Kinetic Energy ◽

Energy Conversion ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Ocean Model ◽

Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽

Central Mediterranean ◽

Central Mediterranean Sea ◽

Baroclinic Energy Conversion ◽

Mean Kinetic Energy

Abstract. The spatial and temporal variability of eddy and mean kinetic energy of the Central Mediterranean Sea has been investigated, from January 2008 to December 2010, by mean of a numerical simulation mainly to quantify the mesoscale dynamics and their relationships with physical forcing. In order to understand the energy redistribution processes, the baroclinic energy conversion has been analysed, suggesting hypotheses about the drivers of the mesoscale activity in this area. The ocean model used is based on the Princeton Ocean Model implemented at 1/32° horizontal resolution. Surface momentum and buoyancy fluxes are interactively computed by mean of standard bulk formulae using predicted model Sea Surface Temperature and atmospheric variables provided by the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast operational analyses. At its lateral boundaries the model is one-way nested within the Mediterranean Forecasting System operational products. The model domain has been subdivided in four sub-regions: Sardinia channel and southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Sicily channel, eastern Tunisian shelf and Libyan Sea. Temporal evolution of eddy and mean kinetic energy has been analysed, on each of the four sub-regions composing the model domain, showing different behaviours. On annual scales and within the first 5 m depth, the eddy kinetic energy represents approximately the 60 % of the total kinetic energy over the whole domain, confirming the strong mesoscale nature of the surface current flows in this area. The analyses show that the model well reproduces the path and the temporal behaviour of the main known sub-basin circulation features. New mesoscale structures have been also identified, from numerical results and direct observations, for the first time as the Pantelleria Vortex and the Medina Gyre. The classical the kinetic energy decomposition (eddy and mean) allowed to depict and to quantify the stable and fluctuating parts of the circulation in the region, and to differentiate the four sub-regions as function of relative and absolute strength of the mesoscale activity. Furthermore the Baroclinic Energy Conversion term shows that in the Sardinia Channel the mesoscale activity, due to baroclinic instabilities, is significantly larger than in the other sub-regions, while a negative sign of the energy conversion, meaning a transfer of energy from the Eddy Kinetic Energy to the Eddy Available Potential Energy, has been recorded only for the surface layers of the Sicily Channel during summer.

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Eddy Kinetic Energy Distribution in the Southern Ocean from Seasat Altimeter and FGGE Drifting Buoys

Large-Scale Oceanographic Experiments and Satellites ◽

10.1007/978-94-009-6421-1_5 ◽

1984 ◽

pp. 41-56

Author(s):

N. Daniault ◽

Y. Menard ◽

J. Gonella

Keyword(s):

Kinetic Energy ◽

Southern Ocean ◽

Energy Distribution ◽

Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽

Kinetic Energy Distribution ◽

Drifting Buoys

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On the Role of Asymmetric Convective Bursts to the Problem of Hurricane Intensification: Radiation of Vortex Rossby Waves and Wave–Mean Flow Interactions

Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences ◽

10.1175/jas-d-13-0343.1 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 71 (6) ◽

pp. 2057-2077 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Konstantinos Menelaou ◽

M. K. Yau

Keyword(s):

Kinetic Energy ◽

Thermal Anomaly ◽

Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽

Intensity Change ◽

Mean Flow ◽

Symmetric Flow ◽

Thermal Forcing ◽

Sensitivity Experiments ◽

Flow Interactions

Abstract The role of asymmetric convection to the intensity change of a weak vortex is investigated with the aid of a “dry” thermally forced model. Numerical experiments are conducted, starting with a weak vortex forced by a localized thermal anomaly. The concept of wave activity, the Eliassen–Palm flux, and eddy kinetic energy are then applied to identify the nature of the dominant generated waves and to diagnose their kinematics, structure, and impact on the primary vortex. The physical reasons for which disagreements with previous studies exist are also investigated utilizing the governing equation for potential vorticity (PV) perturbations and a number of sensitivity experiments. From the control experiment, it is found that the response of the vortex is dominated by the radiation of a damped sheared vortex Rossby wave (VRW) that acts to accelerate the symmetric flow through the transport of angular momentum. An increase of the kinetic energy of the symmetric flow by the VRW is shown also from the eddy kinetic energy budget. Additional tests performed on the structure and the magnitude of the initial thermal forcing confirm the robustness of the results and emphasize the significance of the wave–mean flow interaction to the intensification process. From the sensitivity experiments, it is found that for a localized thermal anomaly, regardless of the baroclinicity of the vortex and the radial and vertical gradients of the thermal forcing, the resultant PV perturbation follows a damping behavior, thus suggesting that deceleration of the vortex should not be expected.

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Interannual Eddy Kinetic Energy Modulations in the Agulhas Return Current

Journal of Geophysical Research Oceans ◽

10.1029/2018jc014333 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 123 (9) ◽

pp. 6449-6462 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yanan Zhu ◽

Bo Qiu ◽

Xiaopei Lin ◽

Fan Wang

Keyword(s):

Kinetic Energy ◽

Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽

Return Current

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Response of the Southern Ocean to the Southern Annular Mode: Interannual Variability and Multidecadal Trend

Journal of Physical Oceanography ◽

10.1175/2010jpo4364.1 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 40 (7) ◽

pp. 1659-1668 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

A. M. Treguier ◽

J. Le Sommer ◽

J. M. Molines ◽

B. de Cuevas

Keyword(s):

Kinetic Energy ◽

Southern Ocean ◽

Interannual Variability ◽

Time Scales ◽

Meridional Circulation ◽

Southern Annular Mode ◽

Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽

Overturning Circulation ◽

Annular Mode ◽

Meridional Overturning

Abstract The authors evaluate the response of the Southern Ocean to the variability and multidecadal trend of the southern annular mode (SAM) from 1972 to 2001 in a global eddy-permitting model of the DRAKKAR project. The transport of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is correlated with the SAM at interannual time scales but exhibits a drift because of the thermodynamic adjustment of the model (the ACC transport decreases because of a low renewal rate of dense waters around Antarctica). The interannual variability of the eddy kinetic energy (EKE) and the ACC transport are uncorrelated, but the EKE decreases like the ACC transport over the three decades, even though meridional eddy fluxes of heat and buoyancy remain stable. The contribution of oceanic eddies to meridional transports is an important issue because a growth of the poleward eddy transport could, in theory, oppose the increase of the mean overturning circulation forced by the SAM. In the authors’ model, the total meridional circulation at 50°S is well correlated with the SAM index (and the Ekman transport) at interannual time scales, and both increase over three decades between 1972 and 2001. However, given the long-term drift, no SAM-linked trend in the eddy contribution to the meridional overturning circulation is detectable. The increase of the meridional overturning is due to the time-mean component and is compensated by an increased buoyancy gain at the surface. The authors emphasize that the meridional circulation does not vary in a simple relationship with the zonal circulation. The model solution points out that the zonal circulation and the eddy kinetic energy are governed by different mechanisms according to the time scale considered (interannual or decadal).

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