Upper Ocean Dynamics during the LOTUS and TROPIC Heat Experiments
Abstract
The vertical structure of the upper ocean in mid-latitudes and at the equator is investigated using observations from the Long Term Upper Ocean Study (LOTUS), the TROPIC HEAT experiments, and one-dimensional numerical models. When the diurnal cycle in solar heating is strong, it determines the local vertical structure of the upper ocean (in both the LOTUS and TROPIC HEAT observations). The Price et al. (1986) model and its extension to the equator simulate the upper ocean fairly well when the diurnal cycle is strong. During the LOTUS experiment we find good agreement with Ekman transport by using a wind-relative averaging method. The mean current e-folds over 12 m in the summer and has a strong diurnal cycle. The mean current e-folds over 25 m in the winter, with very little diurnal cycle. An extension of the Price et al. (1986) model to the equatorial upper ocean shows that the nighttime phase of the diurnal cycle is strongly affected by the Equatorial Undercurrent, resulting in deep mixing and large dissipation at night consistent with observations made during TROPIC HEAT. The daytime phase of the simulated diurnal cycle is unaffected by equatorial circulation and is very similar to its mid-latitude counterpart.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA243730
Entities
People
- Rebecca R. Schudlich
Organizations
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution