Investigation of Upper Ocean Physics and Air-sea Interaction Over the Indian Ocean and Maritime Continent
Abstract
The accurate prediction of marine weather and upper ocean (1-1000m) currents is crucial for NavyÕs operation (ships and submarines). Our proposed research will utilize the NavyÕs numerical prediction model simulations to improve our understanding of ocean and atmospheric variability over the Indian Ocean and Indonesian Seas (Maritime Continent), which are the important regions for NavyÕs operation. A better understanding of basic physics in the upper ocean and air-sea interaction will in turn help to further improve the NavyÕs operational prediction model. The overall goal of the proposed research is to improve our understanding of physics of oceanic and atmospheric phenomena and air-sea interaction over the Indian Ocean and Maritime Continent on the diurnal to intra-seasonal time scales. Specific objectives include: 1. Improve the ocean component of Navy Earth System Model. 2. Determine the large-scale impact of the diurnal air-sea-land interaction on the simulation and prediction skill of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) propagation across the Maritime Continent. 3. Investigate ocean variability and air-sea fluxes produced by atmospheric rivers in the northwest Indian Ocean. 4. Determine the influence of intra-seasonal equatorial winds in the Indian Ocean on boundary currents in the remote areas (Somali Current, Mindanao Current, and Leeuwin Current) through the propagation of equatorial/coastal waves. 5. Examine the ocean response to atmospheric cold pools in the entire tropical Indian Ocean and determine the overall impacts on the large-scale SST and air-sea fluxes. To achieve the goal and meet the objectives listed above, we will analyze in-situ data (including those collected by ONR (Office of Naval Research) sponsored field campaigns) and satellite observations, and perform a hierarchy of high resolution ocean general circulation model (OGCM; ocean component of Navy Earth System Model) and coupled model experiments, which can properly resolve the islands, straits, Indonesian Throughflow passages and coastal topography in the Indonesian Seas (Maritime Continent). In this project, upper ocean processes and their role in air-sea interaction are emphasized. Therefore a number of high-resolution OGCM experiments and coupled model simulations with the high-resolution ocean component will be designed to isolate specific ocean processes such as the remote influence of MJO-induced surface forcing fields on boundary current variability, the role of upwelling/dowelling along the Sumatra/Java on the MJO propagation, and the diurnal cycle of SST on the Maritime Continent convection. Completion of the proposed project will substantially advance our understanding of physics and dynamics of Indian Ocean and Indonesian Sea circulations and air-sea interaction, including those on the intra-seasonal time scale. Such advancement of our knowledge is significant since there are still many challenging issues surrounding upper ocean physics and ocean-atmosphere interaction over the Indian Ocean and Maritime Continent, and in particular, physical mechanisms that control intra-seasonal variability of ocean and atmosphere (e.g., MJO) are not well understood. Also, the outcome of our researches will contribute to the improvement of NavyÕs ocean and atmosphere prediction system through better understanding of physical processes in the ocean and atmosphere and their interaction. Furthermore, graduate and undergraduate students (mostly minority students) will be involved in the project, and thus the project will provide interdisciplinary training for underrepresented minorities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 2020
- Source ID
- W911NF2010309
Entities
People
- Toshiaki Shinoda
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi