Prediction of Coherent Structures, Intermittency, and Mixing in the Surface Layer of the Ocean
Abstract
I hope to place the dynamics of the mixed layer in the context of sound physical theory with predictive capability. The ultimate aim is to formulate a usable, three-dimensional, unsteady mixed layer theory that incorporates the effects of surface waves, density variation, and models breaking waves and unresolved motions. My work seeks to describe the mixing and coherent patterns in the wind-driven OSML, on time scales from minutes and larger. The observable coherent patterns are mainly due to Langmuir circulation (LC) or thermal convection, and these mechanisms are responsible for a significant fraction of the mixing. Surface waves and shear are believed to be responsible for Langmuir circulation, and thus this mechanism is particular to systems with a free surface, such as the OSML, while thermal convection is generic and widely studied. My research has concentrated on LC, but within a framework that incorporates thermal convection. I try to understand the patterns formed, including understanding what causes pattern variations within a given LC field, and to characterize the statistical variation of the spatial and temporal behaviors that can be calculated by our theoretical description. The effects of these motions on momentum and heat transport, and on Lagrangian particle transport are key objectives of the work.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA569034
Entities
People
- Sidney Leibovich
Organizations
- Cornell University