A Parameterization of Local and Remote Tidal Mixing

• Vertical mixing is often regarded as the Achilles' heel of ocean models. In particular, few models include a comprehensive and energy-constrained parameterization of mixing by internal ocean tides. Here, we present an energy-conserving mixing scheme which accounts for the local breaking of high-mode internal tides and the distant dissipation of low-mode internal tides. The scheme relies on four static two-dimensional maps of internal tide dissipation, constructed using mode-by-mode Lagrangian tracking of energy beams from sources to sinks. Each map is associated with a distinct dissipative process and a corresponding vertical structure. Applied to an observational climatology of stratification, the scheme produces a global three-dimensional map of dissipation which compares well with available microstructure observations and with upper-ocean finestructure mixing estimates. This relative agreement, both in magnitude and spatial structure across ocean basins, suggests that internal tides underpin most of observed dissipation in the ocean interior at the global scale. The proposed parameterization is therefore expected to improve understanding, mapping, and modeling of ocean mixing. ©2020. The Authors.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

energy dissipation

internal tides

ocean mixing

parameterization

Mixing

Dissipative process

Energy-constrained

Lagrangian tracking

Microstructure observation

Spatial structure

Three-dimensional maps

Two-dimensional map

Vertical structures

Tides

climatology

internal tide

microstructure

ocean tide

stratification

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)