Mixing Mechanisms and Watermass Transformation in the South China Sea
Abstract
We propose to deploy three UUV gliders, equipped to measure turbulent mixing and finescale shear, in support of a focused field experiment to study the processes that drive mixing of the Kuroshio and South China Sea water during seasonal intrusions. This proposed work will observe the extent and frontal structure of the wintertime circulation in the SCS. We propose to deploy three UUV gliders, equipped to measure turbulent mixing and finescale shear, in support of a focused field experiment to study the processes that drive mixing of the Kuroshio and South China Sea water during seasonal intrusions. This proposed work will observe the extent and frontal structure of the wintertime circulation in the SCS, characterize the features driving isopycnal stirring and turbulent mixing along the KBC, quantify the exchange and rates of watermass formation at the KBC front, reveal the relative contributions of different instability mechanisms, including of submesoscale baroclinic, double diffusive, dynamic shear and cabelling, and help build better turbulence parameterizations in anisotropic environments. In addition, we propose to integrate new observations with existing measurements from prior field campaigns to quantify the rates of watermass transformation and the resultant effect on the heat and salt budgets of the northern South China Sea.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 23, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141612479
Entities
People
- Robert Sherman.
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Oregon State University
- United States Navy