Coherent Lagrangian Pathways in 3D+1 Submesoscale Transport in CALYPSO

Abstract

A long-term goal of oceanography is to forecast the origin and fate of material transported by ocean currents. Recent research indicates that submesoscale processes are key in determining Lagrangian pathways, especially in the vertical dimension. The DRI CALYPSO aims to identify the connections between mesoscale signatures, submesoscale processes, and Lagrangian pathways in order to improve understanding and predictability of the exchange of water and properties from the surface to depths below the mixed layer. In this context, we seek to address two key questions during the first three years of CALYPSO: First, how strong are vertical velocities in a submesoscale-rich environment near a salinity front, how do they impact thedominant 3D submesoscale coherent Lagrangian pathways (CLP), and what specific dynamical processes produce them? Second, how can these ephemeral transport channels be identified?Specifically, what surface signatures are tell-tale signs of vertical exchange

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Jul 10, 2018
Source ID
N000141812461

Entities

People

  • Helga S Huntley

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy
  • University of Delaware

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Modeling, Data Assimilation, and Flux Boundary Layers