2018 Gordon Research Conference on Ocean Mixing: Towards a global representation of the impact of mixing processes on large scale circulation
Abstract
Turbulent mixing results from complex and chaotic motions that span a large range of spatial and temporal scales. Yet even after a half a century of efforts to understand its global distribution, observations are still sparse; a variety of direct and indirect methods are still needed to characterize the dynamical processes that lead to turbulence, and inferences of mixing from larger scale budgets. As such, the physics of ocean mixing is actively studied using a variety of observational techniques (direct measure of velocity and temperature fluctuations at the smallest (mm) scales, inferences from large-scale turbulent overturns, observations of net mixing by purposeful dye release) numerical and theoretical approaches, as well as laboratory experiments. Finally, the consequences of mixing for larger scale climate models (which do not directly resolve mixing) are addressed by turning dynamical insights of the previously mentioned work into practical parameterizations We seek ONR funds for partial support of the 2018 Ocean Mixing Gordon Research Conference - a forum for discussion of the rapidly evolving field of ocean mixing. Emphasis is threefold: observations of mixing in the world, new insights into dynamics that control mixing rates, and impacts of mixing on regional and global circulation and budgets. The latter two include development of parameterizations to turn dynamical insights into useful things to include in regional models and global numerical climate models. Through ONR support, this Ocean Mixing GRC will: (1) provide a needed forum to improve the broader community’s understanding of turbulent mixing in the ocean, and with it a variety of deep and broad implications for everything from climate change to global nutrient patterns that underlie our fisheries. The GRC format encourages precisely the sort of interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration that is so vital to addressing these societal issues. (2) help our scientific community be the most vibrant & inclusive it can be. The ocean mixing has historically suffered from poor diversity, which, while improved in recent years, still needs an influx of new people, a broadening of ties amongst domestic and international collaborators, and increased interdisciplinary interactions. ONR support will explicitly be used to expand the demographic, professional and geographic diversity of participants by supporting attendance of underrepresented and under-resourced groups who stand to benefit from the intellectual environment and networking opportunities of the GRC format
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 23, 2018
- Source ID
- N000141812110
Entities
People
- Jonathan D. Nash
Organizations
- Gordon Research Conferences
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy