Statistical Modeling of Shear in the Upper Ocean.
Abstract
Analysis of upper ocean shear profiles obtained with a free-fall sampling instrument (YVETTE) indicated that, within specific depth regimes and for specified vertical differencing intervals, values of shear-squared might be distributed according to a chi squared probability distribution. An analysis based on several assumptions about the shear field produced a model which showed that a chi squared distribution was physically reasonable. Statistical tests on the profiles led to acceptance of the hypothesis that S squared follows a chi squared distribution with a variance derived from the mean-squared shear in the regime. Further statistical tests showed that the necessary assumptions about the horizontal shear components were statistically reasonable as well as physically reasonable. A trial prediction using a simple linear relationship between mean Brunt-Vaisala frequency in a regime and mean shear-squared, based on a 2m separation, in the regime showed the chi squared model to be a potentially useful tool for area characterizations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA108212
Entities
People
- Gerald T. Hebenstreit
- Walter J. Grabowski