Article
 

On the Effects Of Horizontal Variability of Wind Stress on the Dynamics of the Ocean Mixed Layer

Public Deposited

Downloadable Content

Download PDF
https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/articles/b5644s97d

Descriptions

Attribute NameValues
Creator
Abstract
  • The one-dimensional bulk mixed-layer model of Niiler (1975) is extended to two (or three) dimensions to take account of horizontal variation in wind stress on mixed-layer dynamics. Both surface stirring (Kraus and Turner, 1967) and bulk shear (Pollard et al., 1973) entrainment mechanisms are included. The development of horizontal structure in the upper ocean an the subseasonal to seasonal time scale is the focus of interest. An asymptotic two-timing technique is employed to simplify the dynamical equations. Wind-driven advection can be important in establishing and concentrating horizontal gradients of the sea surface temperature. Wind stress curl-driven vertical velocity can be as important as entrainment velocity in determining the horizontal distribution of mixed-layer depth. Several illustrative calculations are discussed. A case with initially horizontally uniform temperature, 0.05°C m⁻¹ initial vertical gradient, and wind stress of 1 dyn cm⁻² and scale of 1000 km, shows horizontal temperature gradients of 0.01°C km⁻¹ in the vicinity of the wind-driven convergence zone after 100 days integration. A similar case, except with initial horizontal gradient of 0.006°C km⁻¹, shows temperature gradients of 0.02°C km⁻¹ after 100 days. In wind-driven convergence zones, mixed-layer depths of 120 m can be achieved after 100 days, by a combination of entrainment and downwelling, mostly the latter, especially after long times. In divergent zones, steady mixed-layer depths can be achieved in less than 100 days through the competition between the effects of upwelling and entrainment. These steady depths range from 20 to 90 m, depending on location.
Resource Type
DOI
Date Available
Date Issued
Citation
  • de Szoeke, Roland A., 1980: On the Effects Of Horizontal Variability of Wind Stress on the Dynamics of the Ocean Mixed Layer. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 10(9), 1439–1454.
Journal Title
Journal Volume
  • 10
Journal Issue/Number
  • 9
Rights Statement
Funding Statement (additional comments about funding)
  • This work was partially supported by a research grant from the Australian Research Grants Committee during a stay at Monash University, by the Office of Naval Research under Contract N00014-76-C-0067, Project NR083-102, and by the International Southern Ocean Study sponsored by the International Decade of Ocean Exploration office of the National Science Foundation under Grant OCE77-22881.
Publisher
Peer Reviewed
Language
Replaces

Relationships

Parents:

This work has no parents.

Items