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Zonal versus meridional velocity variance in satellite observations and realistic and idealized ocean circulation models

Zonal versus meridional velocity variance in satellite observations and realistic and idealized ocean circulation models
Zonal versus meridional velocity variance in satellite observations and realistic and idealized ocean circulation models
Global, high-quality, satellite-based observation of oceanic currents over the past 13 years has revealed ubiquitous quasi-horizontal eddies in the mesoscale (tens to hundreds of kilometers), confirming the view of a highly turbulent ocean suggested by observational programs in the 1970s. Idealized quasigeostrophic turbulence models suggest mesoscale turbulent flow can vary between isotropic, and highly anisotropic zonal jets. Here we compare the zonal and meridional velocity variance from satellite altimetry. We find that, for an unexplained reason and despite the chaotic nature of turbulence, the surface flow is organized into mesoscale patches where either zonal or meridional velocity variance dominates. The patches persist over 13 years, much longer than the turbulent timescale of a few months. Implications include potentially highly anisotropic redistribution of tracers by the mesoscale flow. Zonally averaged velocity variances reveal a slight preference for meridional over zonal velocity variance. Realistic primitive equation models succeed in reproducing both the patchy structure in local preference for either zonal or meridional velocity variance, and the zonally averaged preference for meridional variance. Idealized models of fully developed, quasigeostrophic turbulence fail in both regards.
Quasigeostrophic turbulence, Anisotropy, Jets, Turbulent diffusion
1463-5003
102-112
Scott, Robert B.
f82756a5-f04c-41f1-a6c8-12574b9814cf
Arbic, Brian K.
297f49fc-6755-42f6-b6b2-6307bcd375a3
Holland, Christina L.
173b889e-42fd-4798-a463-531dc6d1f431
Sen, Ayon
59af599f-deab-4c46-91ee-5d7233f5acad
Qiu, Bo
d7e28909-ae71-4735-87d5-325e0f25c571
Scott, Robert B.
f82756a5-f04c-41f1-a6c8-12574b9814cf
Arbic, Brian K.
297f49fc-6755-42f6-b6b2-6307bcd375a3
Holland, Christina L.
173b889e-42fd-4798-a463-531dc6d1f431
Sen, Ayon
59af599f-deab-4c46-91ee-5d7233f5acad
Qiu, Bo
d7e28909-ae71-4735-87d5-325e0f25c571

Scott, Robert B., Arbic, Brian K., Holland, Christina L., Sen, Ayon and Qiu, Bo (2008) Zonal versus meridional velocity variance in satellite observations and realistic and idealized ocean circulation models. Ocean Modelling, 23 (3-4), 102-112. (doi:10.1016/j.ocemod.2008.04.009).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Global, high-quality, satellite-based observation of oceanic currents over the past 13 years has revealed ubiquitous quasi-horizontal eddies in the mesoscale (tens to hundreds of kilometers), confirming the view of a highly turbulent ocean suggested by observational programs in the 1970s. Idealized quasigeostrophic turbulence models suggest mesoscale turbulent flow can vary between isotropic, and highly anisotropic zonal jets. Here we compare the zonal and meridional velocity variance from satellite altimetry. We find that, for an unexplained reason and despite the chaotic nature of turbulence, the surface flow is organized into mesoscale patches where either zonal or meridional velocity variance dominates. The patches persist over 13 years, much longer than the turbulent timescale of a few months. Implications include potentially highly anisotropic redistribution of tracers by the mesoscale flow. Zonally averaged velocity variances reveal a slight preference for meridional over zonal velocity variance. Realistic primitive equation models succeed in reproducing both the patchy structure in local preference for either zonal or meridional velocity variance, and the zonally averaged preference for meridional variance. Idealized models of fully developed, quasigeostrophic turbulence fail in both regards.

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More information

Published date: 2008
Keywords: Quasigeostrophic turbulence, Anisotropy, Jets, Turbulent diffusion

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 65649
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/65649
ISSN: 1463-5003
PURE UUID: 85079e3c-38d2-4dd9-a445-84d6a2b1adbc

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Date deposited: 03 Mar 2009
Last modified: 13 Mar 2024 17:47

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Contributors

Author: Robert B. Scott
Author: Brian K. Arbic
Author: Christina L. Holland
Author: Ayon Sen
Author: Bo Qiu

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