Tests of Parameterized Langmuir-Circulation Mixing in the Ocean's Surface Mixed Layer
Abstract
Recent large-eddy simulations (LES) of Langmuir circulation (LC) within the surface mixed layer (SML) of the ocean found that the LCs significantly increase the rate of mixing within the SML. Based on these results, Kantha and Clayson (2004) implemented a parameterization of LC mixing in the Mellor-Yamada Level 2.5 (MYL2.5) turbulence model. This parameterization of LC mixing was implemented in the version of the MYL2.5 turbulence model in the Navy Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM) and tested for (a) a simple mixing case, (b) simulations of the upperocean thermal structure at Ocean Weathership Station (OWS) Papa, and (c) simulations of Hurricane Ivan in the Gulf of Mexico. Results of the tests show that the LC-mixing parameterization significantly increases mixing rates in the SML and slightly increases the mixed-layer depth (MLD). The increased mixing rates reduce the shear of the wind-driven current in the SML, which reduces the magnitude of the wind-driven current at the ocean's surface. However, the increased MLD from the LC mixing parameterization is not sufficient to match the observed MLD in the summer at OWS Papa.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA589098
Entities
People
- Erick Rogers
- James D. Dykes
- Patrick J. Hogan
- Paul J. Martin
- Rick A. Allard
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory