scholarly journals Ocean–Atmosphere Coupling in the Monsoon Intraseasonal Oscillation: A Simple Model Study

2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (20) ◽  
pp. 5254-5270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilles Bellon ◽  
Adam H. Sobel ◽  
Jerome Vialard
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Bay Of Bengal ◽  
Mixed Layer Depth ◽  
Intraseasonal Oscillation ◽  
Thermal Inertia ◽  
Coupled Model ◽  
Boreal Winter ◽  
Quasi Equilibrium ◽  
Layer Depth ◽  
Ocean Atmosphere

Abstract A simple coupled model is used in a zonally symmetric aquaplanet configuration to investigate the effect of ocean–atmosphere coupling on the Asian monsoon intraseasonal oscillation. The model consists of a linear atmospheric model of intermediate complexity based on quasi-equilibrium theory coupled to a simple, linear model of the upper ocean. This model has one unstable eigenmode with a period in the 30–60-day range and a structure similar to the observed northward-propagating intraseasonal oscillation in the Bay of Bengal/west Pacific sector. The ocean–atmosphere coupling is shown to have little impact on either the growth rate or latitudinal structure of the atmospheric oscillation, but it reduces the oscillation’s period by a quarter. At latitudes corresponding to the north of the Indian Ocean, the sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies lead the precipitation anomalies by a quarter of a period, similarly to what has been observed in the Bay of Bengal. The mixed layer depth is in phase opposition to the SST: a monsoon break corresponds to both a warming and a shoaling of the mixed layer. This behavior results from the similarity between the patterns of the predominant processes: wind-induced surface heat flux and wind stirring. The instability of the seasonal monsoon flow is sensitive to the seasonal mixed layer depth: the oscillation is damped when the oceanic mixed layer is thin (about 10 m deep or thinner), as in previous experiments with several models aimed at addressing the boreal winter Madden–Julian oscillation. This suggests that the weak thermal inertia of land might explain the minima of intraseasonal variance observed over the Asian continent.

Surface Fluxes and Ocean Coupling in the Tropical Intraseasonal Oscillation

2004 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 4368-4386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric D. Maloney ◽  
Adam H. Sobel
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Mixed Layer Depth ◽  
Intraseasonal Variability ◽  
Intraseasonal Oscillation ◽  
Sensitivity Study ◽  
Ocean Model ◽  
Surface Fluxes ◽  
Boreal Winter ◽  
Layer Depth ◽  
Idealized Model

Abstract Sensitivity of tropical intraseasonal variability to mixed layer depth is examined in the modified National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Atmosphere Model 2.0.1 (CAM), with relaxed Arakawa–Schubert convection, coupled to a slab ocean model (SOM) whose mixed layer depth is fixed and geographically uniform, but varies from one experiment to the next. Intraseasonal west Pacific precipitation variations during boreal winter are enhanced relative to a fixed-SST (infinite mixed layer depth) simulation for mixed layer depths from 5 to 50 m, with a maximum at 20 m [interestingly, near the observed value in the regions where the Madden– Julian oscillation (MJO) is active], but are strongly diminished in the 2-m depth simulation. This nonmonotonicity of intraseasonal precipitation variance with respect to mixed layer depth was predicted by Sobel and Gildor using a highly idealized model. Further experiments with the same idealized model help to interpret results derived from the modified NCAR CAM. A sensitivity study shows that the convection–surface flux feedback [wind-induced surface heat exchange (WISHE)] is important to the intraseasonal variability in the CAM. This helps to explain the behavior of the 2-m SOM simulation and the agreement with the idealized model. Although intraseasonal SST variations are stronger in the 2-m SOM simulation than in any of the other simulations, these SST variations are phased in such a way as to diminish the amplitude of equatorial latent heat flux variations. Reducing the mixed layer depth is thus nearly equivalent to eliminating WISHE, which in this model reduces intraseasonal variability. The WISHE mechanism in the model is nonlinear and occurs in a region of mean low-level westerlies. Since a very shallow mixed layer is effectively similar to wet land, it is suggested that the mechanism described here may explain the local minimum in MJO amplitude observed over the Maritime Continent region.

A numerical study on the role of atmospheric forcing on mixed layer depth variability in the Bay of Bengal using a regional ocean model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumit Dandapat ◽  
Arun Chakraborty ◽  
Jayanarayanan Kuttippurath ◽  
Chirantan Bhagawati ◽  
Radharani Sen
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Bay Of Bengal ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Mixed Layer Depth ◽  
Ocean Model ◽  
Atmospheric Forcing ◽  
Layer Depth ◽  
Regional Ocean Model

scholarly journals Impact of ocean mixed‐layer depth initialization on the simulation of tropical cyclones over the Bay of Bengal using the WRF‐ARW model

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Viswanadhapalli Yesubabu ◽  
Vijaya Kumari Kattamanchi ◽  
Naresh Krishna Vissa ◽  
Hari Prasad Dasari ◽  
Vijaya Bhaskara Rao Sarangam
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Cyclones ◽  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Bay Of Bengal ◽  
Mixed Layer Depth ◽  
Ocean Mixed Layer ◽  
Layer Depth ◽  
Arw Model ◽  
Ocean Mixed Layer Depth

scholarly journals Subduction over the Southern Indian Ocean in a High-Resolution Atmosphere–Ocean Coupled Model

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (15) ◽  
pp. 3830-3849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei-Man Lee ◽  
A. J. George Nurser ◽  
I. Stevens ◽  
Jean-Baptiste Sallée
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Current System ◽  
Mixed Layer Depth ◽  
Coupled Model ◽  
Horizontal Resolution ◽  
Layer Depth ◽  
Mode Water ◽  
Coarse Resolution ◽  
Winter Mixed Layer

Abstract This study examines the subduction of the Subantarctic Mode Water in the Indian Ocean in an ocean–atmosphere coupled model in which the ocean component is eddy permitting. The purpose is to assess how sensitive the simulated mode water is to the horizontal resolution in the ocean by comparing with a coarse-resolution ocean coupled model. Subduction of water mass is principally set by the depth of the winter mixed layer. It is found that the path of the Agulhas Current system in the model with an eddy-permitting ocean is different from that with a coarse-resolution ocean. This results in a greater surface heat loss over the Agulhas Return Current and a deeper winter mixed layer downstream in the eddy-permitting ocean coupled model. The winter mixed layer depth in the eddy-permitting ocean compares well to the observations, whereas the winter mixed layer depth in the coarse-resolution ocean coupled model is too shallow and has the wrong spatial structure. To quantify the impacts of different winter mixed depths on the subduction, a way to diagnose local subduction is proposed that includes eddy subduction. It shows that the subduction in the eddy-permitting model is closer to the observations in terms of the magnitudes and the locations. Eddies in the eddy-permitting ocean are found to 1) increase stratification and thus oppose the densification by northward Ekman flow and 2) increase subduction locally. These effects of eddies are not well reproduced by the eddy parameterization in the coarse-resolution ocean coupled model.

Drivers of oceanic exchange through the Indonesian Throughflow since the late 1800s – a synthesis of coral δ18O and high-resolution ocean models

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sujata Murty ◽  
Caroline Ummenhofer ◽  
Markus Scheinert ◽  
Erik Behrens ◽  
Arne Biastoch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Mixed Layer Depth ◽  
Heat Content ◽  
Phase Changes ◽  
Boreal Winter ◽  
Indonesian Throughflow ◽  
Layer Depth ◽  
Ocean Variability ◽  
The Indian Ocean

<p>The Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) serves as an important oceanic teleconnection for Indo-Pacific climate, altering heat and buoyancy transport from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean. Equatorial Pacific wind forcing transmitted through the ITF impacts interannual to interdecadal Indian Ocean thermocline depth and heat content, with implications for preconditioning Indian Ocean Dipole events. Yet the modulation of Indian Ocean thermal properties at seasonal timescales is still poorly understood. Here we synthesize coral δ<sup>18</sup>O records, instrumental indices (El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Asian Monsoon), and simulated ocean variability (sea surface salinity (SSS) and temperature (SST), heat content, mixed layer depth) from state-of-the-art NEMO ocean model hindcasts to explore drivers of seasonal to multi-decadal variability. All coral sites are located within main ITF pathways and are influenced by monsoon-driven, buoyant South China Sea (SCS) surface waters during boreal winter that obstruct surface ITF flow and reduce heat transport to the Indian Ocean. Makassar and Lombok Strait coral δ<sup>18</sup>O co-varies with simulated SSS, subsurface heat content anomalies (50-350m) and mixed layer depth at the coral sites and in the eastern Indian Ocean. At decadal timescales, simulated boreal winter ocean variability at the coral sites additionally indicates a potential intensification of the SCS buoyancy plug from the mid- to late-20<sup>th</sup> century. Notably, the variability in these coral and model responses reveals sensitivity to phase changes in the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation and the East Asian Winter Monsoon. These results collectively suggest that the paleoproxy records are capturing important features of regional hydrography and Indo-Pacific exchange, including responses to regional monsoon variability. Such proxy-model comparison is critical for understanding the drivers of variability related to changes in ITF oceanic teleconnections over the 19<sup>th</sup> and 20<sup>th</sup> centuries.</p>

scholarly journals Mixed layer variability and chlorophyll <i>a</i> biomass in the Bay of Bengal

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 16405-16452 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Narvekar ◽  
S. Prasanna Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Bay Of Bengal ◽  
Mixed Layer Depth ◽  
Chlorophyll Concentration ◽  
Short Wave ◽  
Wave Radiation ◽  
Layer Depth ◽  
Short Wave Radiation ◽  
Deep Mixed Layer ◽  
Monsoon Winds

Abstract. Mixed layer is the most variable and dynamically active part of the marine environment that couples the underlying ocean to the atmosphere and plays an important role in determining the chlorophyll concentration. In this paper we examined the seasonal variability of the mixed layer depth in the Bay of Bengal, the factors responsible for it and the coupling of mixed layer processes to the chlorophyll biomass using a suite of in situ as well as remote sensing data. The basin-wide mixed layer depth was the shallowest during spring intermonsoon, which was associated with strong themohaline stratification of the upper water column. The prevailing winds which were the weakest of all the seasons were unable to break the stratification leading to the observed shallow mixed layer. Consistent with the warm oligotrophic upper ocean, the surface chlorophyll concentrations were the least and the vertical profile of chlorophyll was characterized by a subsurface chlorophyll maximum. Similarly, during summer though the monsoon winds were the strongest they were unable to break the upper ocean haline-stratification in the northern Bay brought about by a combination of excess precipitation over evaporation and fresh water influx from rivers adjoining the Bay of Bengal. Consistent with this though the nitrate concentrations were high in the northern part of the Bay, the chlorophyll concentrations were low indicating the light limitation. In contrast, in the south, advection of high salinity waters from the Arabian Sea coupled with the westward propagating Rossby waves of annual periodicity were able to decrease stability of the upper water column and the prevailing monsoon winds were able to initiate deep mixing leading to the observed deep mixed layer. The high chlorophyll concentration observed in the south resulted from the positive wind stress curl which pumped nutrient rich subsurface waters to the euphotic zone. The southward extension of the shallow mixed layer in fall intermonsoon resulted from the advection of low salinity waters from the northern Bay combined with the secondary heating by the incoming short wave radiation. The satellite-derived chlorophyll pigment concentration during fall intermonsoon was similar to that of summer but with reduced values. The basin-wide deep mixed layer during winter resulted from a combination of reduced short wave radiation, increase in salinity and comparatively stronger winds. The mismatch between the low nitrate and comparatively higher chlorophyll biomass during winter indicated the efficacy of the limited nitrate data to adequately resolve the coupling between the mixed layer processes and the chlorophyll biomass.

scholarly journals Mixed layer variability and chlorophyll <i>a</i> biomass in the Bay of Bengal

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 3819-3843 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Narvekar ◽  
S. Prasanna Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Bay Of Bengal ◽  
Mixed Layer Depth ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Ekman Pumping ◽  
Layer Depth ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
Deep Mixed Layer ◽  
Northern Bay Of Bengal

Abstract. The mixed layer is the most variable and dynamically active part of the marine environment that couples the underlying ocean to the atmosphere and plays an important role in determining the oceanic primary productivity. We examined the basin-scale processes controlling the seasonal variability of mixed layer depth in the Bay of Bengal and its association with chlorophyll using a suite of in situ as well as remote sensing data. A coupling between mixed layer depth and chlorophyll was seen during spring intermonsoon and summer monsoon, but for different reasons. In spring intermonsoon the temperature-dominated stratification and associated shallow mixed layer makes the upper waters of the Bay of Bengal nutrient depleted and oligotrophic. In summer, although the salinity-dominated stratification in the northern Bay of Bengal shallows the mixed layer, the nutrient input from adjoining rivers enhance the surface chlorophyll. This enhancement is confined only to the surface layer and with increase in depth, the chlorophyll biomass decreases rapidly due to reduction in sunlight by suspended sediment. In the south, advection of high salinity waters from the Arabian Sea and westward propagating Rossby waves from the eastern Bay of Bengal led to the formation of deep mixed layer. In contrast, in the Indo–Sri Lanka region, the shallow mixed layer and nutrient enrichment driven by upwelling and Ekman pumping resulted in chlorophyll enhancement. The mismatch between the nitrate and chlorophyll indicated the inadequacy of present data to fully unravel its coupling to mixed layer processes.

scholarly journals Seasonal and inter-annual variability of the sea surface temperature and mixed layer depth in the southern Bay of Bengal

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
R. Ranith ◽  
L. Senthilnathan ◽  
M. Machendiranathan ◽  
T. Thangaradjou ◽  
A. Saravanakumar
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Sea Surface Temperature ◽  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Bay Of Bengal ◽  
Mixed Layer Depth ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Layer Depth ◽  
South West Monsoon

Argo float data supplemented with satellite measurements was used to study the seasonal and inter-annual variation in wind speed, sea surface temperature (SST) and mixed layer depth (MLD) of the southern Bay of Bengal from 2003 through 2010. Due to persistence of wind, clear sky and high insolation an increase in SST by about 2°C is evident during summer months (March-May) and is followed by shallowed MLD with a minimum depth of 9.3 m during summer 2004. MLD reached the maximum depth during monsoon season (November-December) and often extends to post monsoon (February) owing to strong monsoon wind, cloudy sky and SST plummeted by 3°C. During the inter-monsoon period (August-October) the MLD shallowed and maintained a depth of 20–30 m all through the study period. High wind accompanied with moderate temperature (SST) due to the south west monsoon leads to decreased MLD with an average depth of 44 m in July. Analysis of wind speed, SST and MLD suggested that out of various meteorological parameters wind speed and induced mixing are highly influential in MLD formation. Reduced occurrence and amplitude of MLD deepening noticed in recent years can be attributed to the evident climate change scenarios. Large scale upper ocean variability observed from the present study has innumerable antagonistic consequences on the marine ecosystem which is evident from various events of seagrass burns and coral bleaching which have occurred in the last decade.

Impact of Explicit Atmosphere–Ocean Coupling on MJO-Like Coherent Structures in Idealized Aquaplanet Simulations

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (9) ◽  
pp. 2289-2306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wojciech W. Grabowski
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Layer ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mixed Layer Depth ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Quasi Equilibrium ◽  
Layer Depth ◽  
Oceanic Mixed Layer ◽  
Ocean Coupling ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This paper discusses the impact of the atmosphere–ocean coupling on the large-scale organization of tropical convection simulated by an idealized global model applying the Cloud-Resolving Convection Parameterization (CRCP; superparameterization). Because the organization resembles the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), the results contribute to the debate concerning the role of atmosphere–ocean coupling in tropical intraseasonal oscillations. The modeling setup is an aquaplanet with globally uniform mean sea surface temperature (SST) of 30°C (tropics everywhere) in radiative–convective quasi equilibrium. The simulations apply an interactive radiation transfer model and a slab ocean model with a fixed oceanic mixed layer depth. Results from several 80- and 100-day-long simulations are discussed, where the only difference between the simulations is the prescribed oceanic mixed layer depth, which varied from 5 to 45 m. A simulation with a very deep oceanic mixed layer is also performed to represent constant-SST conditions. The simulations demonstrate that the interactive SST impedes the development of large-scale organization and has insignificant impact on the dynamics of mature MJO-like systems. The impediment is the result of a negative feedback between the large-scale organization of convection and SST, the convection–SST feedback. In this feedback, SST increases in regions of already suppressed convection and decreases in regions with enhanced convection, thus hindering the large-scale organization. Once developed, however, the MJO-like systems are equally strong in interactive and constant-SST simulations, and compare favorably with the observed MJO. The above impacts of the atmosphere–ocean coupling contradict the majority of previous studies using traditional general circulation models, where, typically, an enhancement of the intraseasonal signal occurs compared to prescribed-SST simulations. An explanation of this discrepancy is suggested.

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