Quantifying the generation mechanisms and mixing efficiency of interior submesoscale wakes using floats tracked by gliders
Abstract
Turbulent mixing at topography, such as seamounts, controls the abyssal overturning circulation and modulates Earth#s climate, yet the generation mechanisms of mixing are poorly constrained. Recent theoretical and observational studies suggest that submesoscale processes, such as centrifugal instability, generate significant mixing at bottom boundary layers and interior wakes. These submesoscale processes are thought to mix more efficiently and with a prolonged intensity than breaking internal waves but lack significant observational verification. Observational studies of the submesoscale are challenging because these small-scale, rapidly evolving flows are often embedded in large-scale currents that dominate signals. Lagrangian sampling systems are more suitable for isolating theprocesses embedded within large-scale currents. To understand the submesoscale at topography, we propose to co-develop a heterogeneous Lagrangian sampling network that will serve as both the observation system and subsurface ad-hoc localization service that has the potential for real-time information transfer and adaptive sampling. A fleet of microstructure gliders augmented with custom backseat control and acoustic communications will range amongst each other and cooperative Lagrangian assets operated by other groups participating in RIOT, while also collecting critical data on cross-stream flow structure. This heterogeneous network will be used to collect novel observations that quantify submesoscale dynamics and mixing in close proximity to seamounts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 09, 2024
- Source ID
- N000142412716
Entities
People
- Jesse Cusack
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Oregon State University
- United States Navy