In:
Journal of Physical Oceanography, American Meteorological Society, Vol. 43, No. 8 ( 2013-08), p. 1759-1779
Abstract:
An energetically consistent model for the diapycnal diffusivity induced by breaking of internal gravity waves is proposed and tested in local and global settings. The model [Internal Wave Dissipation, Energy and Mixing (IDEMIX)] is based on the spectral radiation balance of the wave field, reduced by integration over the wavenumber space, which yields a set of balances for energy density variables in physical space. A further simplification results in a single partial differential equation for the total energy density of the wave field. The flux of energy to high vertical wavenumbers is parameterized by a functional derived from the wave–wave scattering integral of resonant wave triad interactions, which also forms the basis for estimates of dissipation rates and related diffusivities of ADCP and hydrography fine-structure data. In the current version of IDEMIX, the wave energy is forced by wind-driven near-inertial motions and baroclinic tides, radiating waves from the respective boundary layers at the surface and the bottom into the ocean interior. The model predicts plausible magnitudes and three-dimensional structures of internal wave energy, dissipation rates, and diapycnal diffusivities in rough agreement to observational estimates. IDEMIX is ready for use as a mixing module in ocean circulation models and can be extended with more spectral components.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0022-3670
,
1520-0485
DOI:
10.1175/JPO-D-12-0207.1
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
American Meteorological Society
Publication Date:
2013
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2042184-9
detail.hit.zdb_id:
184162-2
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