基于CMIP5模式与Argo观测数据的海洋有效重力势能分析

有效重力势能作为重力势能中活跃的部分,能够参与海洋能量循环。本文计算和评估了CMIP5中9个模式的全球大洋2 000 m以上积分的有效重力势能和200～500 m深度范围内的中尺度有效重力势能,并与由BOA_Argo观测数据计算的结果进行比较。分析表明,就全球大洋2 000 m以上积分的有效重力势能而言,多数模式的计算结果均大于由Argo观测数据计算的结果。通过比较有效重力势能的空间分布特征,发现在强动力活跃区(特别是黑潮、湾流、南极绕极流区),模式与观测相差较大,其差别主要来源于观测与模式中扰动密度的差异。此外,在黑潮和南大洋区域,涡动能和有效重力势能具有较高的时间相关性,而在北大西洋湾流区域,两者的相关性较低;功率谱分析显示中尺度有效重力势能与涡动能都存在显著的半年和年变化周期。     

Diapycnal mixing by meso-scale eddies

The mean available potential energy released by baroclinic instability into the meso-scale eddy field has to be dissipated in some way and Tandon and Garrett [Tandon, A., Garrett, C., 1996. On a recent parameterization of mesoscale eddies. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 26 (3), 406–416] suggested that this dissipation could ultimately involve irreversible mixing of buoyancy by molecular processes at the small-scale end of the turbulence cascade. We revisit this idea and argue that the presence of dissipation within the thermocline automatically requires that a component of the eddy flux associated with meso-scale eddies must be associated with irreversible mixing of buoyancy within the thermocline. We offer a parameterisation of the implied diapycnal diffusivity based on (i) the dissipation rate for eddy kinetic energy given by the meso-scale eddy closure of Eden and Greatbatch [Eden, C., Greatbatch, R.J., 2008. Towards a meso-scale eddy closure. Ocean Modell. 20, 223–239.] and (ii) a fixed mixing efficiency. The implied eddy-induced diapycnal diffusivity (κ) is implemented in a coarse resolution model of the North Atlantic. In contrast to the vertical diffusivity given by a standard vertical mixing scheme, large lateral inhomogeneities can be found for κ in the interior of the ocean. In general, κ is large, i.e. up to o(10) cm²/s, near the western boundaries and almost vanishing in the interior of the ocean.     

南大洋太平洋扇区中尺度涡旋的统计特性及其变化

中尺度涡旋在南大洋海洋动力学中具有重要地位,其对气候变化的响应表现也引起了海洋学家与气候学家的广泛关注。本文利用涡动动能与涡旋自动探测技术两种方法对南大洋太平洋扇区的涡旋特性及其变化进行了分析。与前人结果相一致的是,高值的涡动动能主要集中在南极极锋海区,并且自西向东逐渐减弱。在过去的20年里,涡动动能在太平洋扇区的显著增强也集中在中西部海域,这里也是南极绕极流斜压性较强的海域。涡旋统计特性揭示了涡动动能的空间分布及其年际变化主要归因于涡旋振幅与旋转速度,而并非涡旋个数或者涡旋半径。这些结果进一步确认了对应于南半球环状模正位相的绕极西风异常改变了南大洋的涡旋特性,从而表现出涡旋活跃性增强。     

Effects of different closures for thickness diffusivity

The effects of spatial variations of the thickness diffusivity (K) appropriate to the parameterisation of [Gent, P.R. and McWilliams, J.C., 1990. Isopycnal mixing in ocean circulation models. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 20, 150–155.] are assessed in a coarse resolution global ocean general circulation model. Simulations using three closures yielding different lateral and/or vertical variations in K are compared with a simulation using a constant value. Although the effects of changing K are in general small and all simulations remain biased compared to observations, we find systematic local sensitivities of the simulated circulation on K. In particular, increasing K near the surface in the tropical ocean lifts the depth of the equatorial thermocline, the strength of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current decreases while the subpolar and subtropical gyre transports in the North Atlantic increase by increasing K locally. We also find that the lateral and vertical structure of K given by a recently proposed closure reduces the negative temperature biases in the western North Atlantic by adjusting the pathways of the Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic Current to a more realistic position.     

Interannual Variation of Eddy Kinetic Energy from TOPEX Altimeter Observations

Monthly mesoscale eddy kinetic energy (EKE) per unit mass has been computed for four years, 1993-1996, from TOPEX altimeter data in the Indian Ocean. It ranges from 50 cm²/s² to 2,700 cm²/s² (about 4,000 cm²/s² near the Somali region in a few months). In the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, regions of high energies associated with various current systems under the influence of monsoonal winds have been delineated. Monthly variation of EKE near the Somali region has been studied. In this region the maximum EKE per unit mass has been observed during August every year, with variations in magnitude from year to year. The mesoscale eddy kinetic energy computed from TOPEX altimeter-derived SSH during 1993-1996 is highest near the Somali region during the SW monsoon, due to formation of mesoscale eddies and also because of upwelling. In the Bay of Bengal, high eddy kinetic energy is seen toward the western side during nonmonsoonal months due to the western boundary current. In the South Indian Ocean, it is high at a few places in some of the months. A large part of the Indian Ocean exhibits low eddy kinetic energy (less than 300 cm²/s²) year-round.     

孟加拉湾海域背景流–中尺度涡–高频扰动之间的相互作用

基于一套涡分辨模式数据,本文利用一种新的泛函工具—多尺度子空间变换—将孟加拉湾（BOB）海域的环流系统分解到背景流（>96 d）、中尺度（24～96 d）和高频尺度（<24 d）3个子空间,并用正则传输理论探讨了3个尺度子空间之间内在的非线性相互作用。结果表明,BOB西北部边界和斯里兰卡岛东部是BOB海域多尺度相互作用最显著的区域,中部则较弱。前两个区域的背景流大多正压、斜压不稳定,动能和有效位能正则传输主要表现为正向级串;后者则以逆尺度动能级串为主。具体来说,在BOB西北部与斯里兰卡东部,中尺度涡动能（EKE）主要来源于正压能量路径（即背景流动能向EKE传输）,其次来源于斜压能量路径（即背景流有效位能向中尺度有效位能传输,并进一步转换为EKE）。通过这两个能量路径得到的EKE向更高频的扰动传输能量,起到了耗散中尺度涡的作用。不同于此二者,BOB中部海域的EKE和高频尺度动能主要通过斜压路径获得,随后通过逆尺度级串将动能返还给背景流。苏门答腊岛的西北部也是中尺度和高频尺度扰动较强的海域,正压能量路径和斜压能量路径均是该海域扰动能的来源,但以斜压能量路径为主。     

A closure for meso-scale eddy fluxes based on linear instability theory

Linear instability theory is used to predict the lateral diffusivity K for eddy buoyancy fluxes in an idealized channel model, following a suggestion by Killworth (1997). The vertical structure and magnitude of K agree approximately with the non-linear model results. The lateral structure of K from linear theory lacks minima within eddy-driven zonal jets, pointing towards a non-linear mechanism for mixing barriers in the channel model. This effect can be accounted for by a modification of K from linear theory by the kinematic effect of the background flow following a recent suggestion by Ferrari and Nikurashin (2010). Implementation of this closure for K in an eddy mixing framework based on potential vorticity mixing in a zonally averaged model version yields approximate agreement with the zonally resolved version over a certain range of external parameters, in particular with respect to the reproduction of eddy-driven zonal jets.     

Eddy diffusivity and coherent mesoscale eddy analysis in the Southern Ocean

The spatial distribution of eddy diffusivity, basic characteristics of coherent mesoscale eddies and their relationship are analyzed from numerical model outputs in the Southern Ocean. Mesoscale fluctuation information is obtained by a temporal-spatial filtering method, and the eddy diffusivity is calculated using a linear regression analysis between isoneutral thickness flux and large-scale isoneutral thickness gradient. The eddy diffusivity is on the order of O (103 m2/s) with a significant spatial variation, and it is larger in the area with strong coherent mesoscale eddy activity. The mesoscale eddies are mainly located in the upper ocean layer, with the average intensity no larger than 0.2. The mean radius of the coherent mesoscale cyclonic (anticyclonic) eddy gradually decays from (121.2±10.4) km ((117.8±9.6) km) at 30°S to (43.9±5.3) km ((44.7±4.9) km) at 65°S. Their vertical penetration depths (lifespans) are deeper (longer) between the northern side of the Subpolar Antarctic Front and 48°S. The normalized eddy diffusivity and coherent mesoscale eddy activity show a significant positive correlation, indicating that coherent mesoscale eddy plays an important role in eddy diffusivity.     

Three-dimensional characteristics of mesoscale eddies simulated by a regional model in the northwestern Pacific Ocean during 2000–2008

Mesoscale eddies play vital roles in ocean processes. Although previous studies focused on eddy surface features and individual three-dimensional (3D) eddy cases in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, the analysis of unique eddy 3D regional characteristics is still lacking. A 3D eddy detection scheme is applied to 9 years (2000–2008) of eddy-resolving Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) output to obtain a 3D eddy dataset from the surface to a depth of 1 000 m in the northwestern Pacific Ocean (15°–35°N, 120°–145°E). The 3D characteristics of mesoscale eddies are analyzed in two regions, namely, Box1 (Subtropical Countercurrent, 15°–25°N, 120°–145°E) and Box2 (Southern Kuroshio Extension, 25°–35°N, 120°–145°E). In Box1, the current is characterized by strong vertical shear and weak horizontal shear. In Box2, the current is characterized by the strong Kuroshio, topographic effect, and the westward propagation of Rossby waves. The results indicate the importance of baroclinic instability in Box1, whereas in Box2, both the barotropic and baroclinic instability are important. Moreover, the mesoscale eddies’ properties in Box1 and Box2 are distinct. The eddies in Box1 have larger number and radius but a shorter lifetime. By contrast, Box2 has fewer eddies, which have smaller radius but longer lifetime. Vertically, more eddies are detected at the subsurface than at the surface in both regions; the depth of 650 m is the turning point in Box1. Above this depth, the number of cyclonic eddies (CEs) is larger than that of anticyclonic eddies (AEs). In Box2, the number of CEs is dominant vertically. Eddy kinetic energy (EKE) and mean normalized relative vorticity in Box2 are significantly higher than those in Box1. With increasing depth, the attenuation trend of EKE and relative vorticity of Box1 become greater than those of Box2. Furthermore, the upper ocean (about 300 m in depth) contains 68.6% of the eddies (instantaneous eddy). Only 16.6% of the eddies extend to 1 000 m. In addition, about 87% of the eddies are bowl-shaped eddies in the two regions. Only about 3% are cone-shaped eddies. With increasing depth of the eddies, the proportion of bowl-shaped eddies gradually decreases. Conversely, the cone- and lens-shaped eddies are equal in number at 700–1 000 m, accounting for about 30% each. Studying the 3D characteristics of eddies in two different regions of the northwestern Pacific Ocean is an important stepping stone for discussing the different eddy generation mechanisms.     

Stochastic study of the temperature response of the upper ocean to uncertainties in the atmospheric forcing in an Atlantic OGCM

The impact of errors in atmospheric forcing on the behaviour of ocean models is a fundamental issue for ocean modellers and data assimilation and one that has yet to be fully addressed. In this study, we use a stochastic modelling approach with 50 7-months (September–March) primitive equation eddy permitting (1/4°) integrations. We investigate the response of the oceanic circulation to atmospheric uncertainties, focusing principally on their impact on the upper oceanic temperature field. The ensemble is generated by perturbing the wind, atmospheric temperature and incoming solar radiation of the ERA40 reanalysis. Each perturbation consists of a random combination of the 20 dominant EOFs of the difference between the ERA40 and NCEP/CORE reanalysis datasets. The ensemble standard deviation of various interfacial and oceanic quantities is then examined in the upper 200 m of three distinct regions of the North Atlantic: in the Gulf Stream, in the Northern Tropical band and in the North East Atlantic. These show that even a very small perturbation of the atmospheric variables can lead to significant changes in the ocean properties and that regions of oceanic mesoscale activity are the most sensitive. The ocean response is driven by vertical diffusivity and eddy activity. The role of subsurface currents is also crucial in carrying the eddy signal away from the regions of mesoscale activity. Finally, the decorrelation time scale of the mesoscale activity is critical in determining the amplitude of the oceanic response.     

On the eddy mixing and energetics of turbulence in a stable atmospheric boundary layer

Some changes in the eddy mixing in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) are investigated with the use of the mesoscale RANS turbulence model. It is found that the behavior of parameters of the eddy turbulence mixing is in compliance with the recently obtained data of laboratory and atmospheric measurements. In particular, the flow Richardson number (Ri _f ) during the transient flow to a strongly stable state can behave nonmonotonically, growing with the increasing gradient Richardson number (Ri _g ) to the state of saturation at a certain gradient Richardson number (Ri _g ? 1), which separates two different turbulent regimes: the regimes of strong mixing and weak mixing. An analysis of the energetics based on the balance equations of kinetic and potential turbulence energies shows, in particular, that the weak mixing (Ri _g > 1) is quite capable of transferring momentum. This phenomenon can be explained not only by the fact that the flow is sustained by propagating internal waves, which effectively transfer momentum under strong stratification conditions, but also by the fact that turbulence permanently arises in the free atmosphere and in the deep ocean at Ri _g ? 1.     

Estimates of the lateral eddy diffusivity in the Indian Ocean as derived from drifter data

The Global Drifter Program data set is applied to develop 2° × 2° bin estimates of the lateral eddy diffusivity K in the Indian Ocean (IO) by means of a modification of the Davis approach. The calculations were performed relative to the seasonal change in the mean currents, which is especially important in the case of monsoon-driven circulation in the IO. Estimates of K were found to be below 1 × 10⁴ m²/s almost every-where in the IO. The spatial variations of K were analyzed in relation to the instabilities of the ocean circulation.     

涡分辨率的南海区域海洋环流模式构建技术研究

针对复杂海洋中尺度现象模拟仿真的技术难题,利用区域海洋环流模式ROMS,通过模式的网格构建、地形处理以及模式的初始场和强迫场处理技术,构建出一套涡分辨率南海区域海洋环流模式。通过模式模拟结果与卫星遥感实测资料等对比,发现该模式能够较好地模拟出南海涡旋及其引发的海温异常等海洋中小尺度过程,说明该模式可作为研究复杂海洋中尺度现象影响海军武器装备效能的环境数值仿真手段。     

Does the Atlantic meridional overturning cell really have more than one stable steady state?

The prevailing view regarding the oceanic meridional overturning cell (MOC) in the Atlantic is that, for a given North Atlantic freshwater flux, it has at least two stable states, one with a large surface (northward) mass flux and the other with a small flux. It has been argued that some abrupt paleoclimatic changes which occurred in the North Atlantic and the regions surrounding it might be related to a shift between these two distinctly different states. Here, we argue that, although the Atlantic MOC can indeed collapse due to a large freshwater flux, the actual ocean does not have multiple states for the same freshwater flux.The two state scenarios has its origin in the analytical box model of Stommel [1961. Thermohaline convection with two stable regimes of flow. Tellus 2, 244–230] and in a series of numerical models starting with that of Bryan [1986. High latitude salinity effects and interhemispheric thermohaline circulations. Nature 303, 301–304]. Using hybrid global analytical models involving both wind and density variations we demonstrate here that the application of Stommel's model to the North Atlantic yields multiple solutions because it considers the origin of the MOC upper limb to be a box whose export of water depends on its temperature and salinity which are not known in advance. When this origination box is replaced by a (observationally supported) Southern Ocean box whose surface water export depends solely on the wind, and when, together with this choice, the diapycnal diffusivities and eddy viscosities are taken to be as small as the usually observed values, the multi-solution scenario disappears and one gets only a single solution.Using the Uvic climate model, we re-confirm earlier results and argue that numerical models have multiple stable states and a resulting hysteresis because of the spuriously high eddy diffusivity that is typically used explicitly or implicitly. This is so because the diffusivity artificially introduces dense-to-light water conversion analogous to Stommel's origination box. Since we used a level model rather than a layered or isopynic model, the small vertical diffusivity limit still retains significant cross-isopycnal mixing due to the horizontal diffusivity, which is not supported by observations. Consequently, while our runs shows a tendency to no-hysteresis in the limit of small cross-isopycnal flow, we cannot actually reach that limit.     

Interannual Variation of Eddy Kinetic Energy from TOPEX Altimeter Observations

Monthly mesoscale eddy kinetic energy (EKE) per unit mass has been computed for four years, 1993-1996, from TOPEX altimeter data in the Indian Ocean. It ranges from 50 cm²/s² to 2,700 cm²/s² (about 4,000 cm²/s² near the Somali region in a few months). In the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, regions of high energies associated with various current systems under the influence of monsoonal winds have been delineated. Monthly variation of EKE near the Somali region has been studied. In this region the maximum EKE per unit mass has been observed during August every year, with variations in magnitude from year to year. The mesoscale eddy kinetic energy computed from TOPEX altimeter-derived SSH during 1993-1996 is highest near the Somali region during the SW monsoon, due to formation of mesoscale eddies and also because of upwelling. In the Bay of Bengal, high eddy kinetic energy is seen toward the western side during nonmonsoonal months due to the western boundary current. In the South Indian Ocean, it is high at a few places in some of the months. A large part of the Indian Ocean exhibits low eddy kinetic energy (less than 300 cm²/s²) year-round.     

2000—2015年夏秋季孟加拉湾湾口区涡流相互作用能量学特征

文章主要使用全球简单海洋资料同化分析系统(Simple Ocean Data Assimilation, SODA)产出的海洋再分析数据产品和美国国家环境预报中心(National Centers for Environmental Prediction, NCEP)发布的风场资料, 通过能量学方法分析了2000—2015年夏季至秋季(6—11月)孟加拉湾涡-流相互作用特征在不同印度洋偶极子(Indian Ocean Dipole, IOD)事件发生年的表现。结果表明, 在IOD负位相年更强的西南季风背景下, 涡动能和涡势能的量值均较大, 海洋不稳定过程更多地将平均流场的能量输向涡旋场, IOD正位相年反之。另外, 研究发现孟加拉湾湾口区的涡动能在个别年份会发展出一种与气候态存在显著异常的空间分布, 即在个别年份湾口中央海域异常出现涡动能极大值。通过对出现该异常现象最显著的2010年进行个例分析, 发现当年的孟加拉湾海表风场发展出一个气旋式环流异常, 显著地改变了海洋上层环流形态, 极大地影响了平均流场与涡旋场之间的相互作用。进一步对维持涡动能平衡的各做功项进行诊断后发现, 湾口异常海域涡动能年际变化的主要影响因素为海洋内部的压强做功, 其次是正压不稳定过程和平流的做功, 海表风应力做功项贡献较小。     

On the simulation of temperature and salinity fields in the Arctic Ocean

This paper considers the formation of the thermohaline structure of the Arctic Ocean: the formation of the salinity field and a freshwater reservoir in the Beaufort Sea and the transport of warm Atlantic water into the central part of the Arctic Ocean. A new version of the Finite Element Model of the Arctic Ocean (FEMAO) with a low spatial resolution is used. The main distinctions of this version are the following features: a new equation of state, a more sophisticated parameterization of vertical turbulence, modified formulations for the boundary conditions on open boundaries (using satellite data on the sea level) and at the upper boundary of the ocean, and the use of a variable eddy diffusivity in the parameterization of the eddy transport of a scalar. Our experiments indicated that the use of the parameterization of the eddy transport of a scalar enhances the transport of warm Atlantic waters to the central part of the Arctic Ocean through the Fram Strait; the results are most realistic when a variable coefficient is used. The Neptune effect has a contradictory role and, in the future, a higher spatial resolution should be used instead of this parameterization. We revealed that a key factor in the thermohaline fields on a large time scale is the interaction with the Atlantic Ocean, which is the source of heat and saline water.     

On the Contribution of the Eddy Transport to the Annual Mean Heat Budget of the Upper Layer in the North Atlantic

According to Ocean Re-Analysis System 3 (ORA-S3) data, all components of the annual mean heat budget of the upper quasi-homogeneous ocean layer (UQL) in the North Atlantic for the period of 1959–2011 have been calculated and errors of these estimates have been determined. It has been shown that the contribution of the horizontal eddy diffusivity (estimated as a residual term of the UQL heat balance equation) to changes in the UQL annual mean temperature is significantly overestimated. This takes place mainly due to neglecting the covariances of seasonal fluctuations of current velocity vector components and UQL temperature gradients in calculations carried out with the use of annual average values. These covariances play an important role in the annual mean heat budget in some regions of the North Atlantic, especially in tropical latitudes. Changes in the annual average UQL temperature in the central and eastern parts of the North Atlantic are significantly affected by errors related to an inaccuracy of estimates of annual average heat fluxes on the ocean surface. The maximum contribution of the horizontal eddy diffusivity to the interannual variability of the UQL temperature is observed in the northwestern part of the North Atlantic and the region of the Subpolar Gyre.     

Effects in a climate model of slope tapering in neutral physics schemes

In many global ocean climate models, mesoscale eddies are parameterized as along isopycnal diffusion and eddy-induced advection (or equivalently skew-diffusion). The eddy-induced advection flattens isopycnals and acts as a sink of available potential energy, whereas the isopycnal diffusion mixes tracers along neutral directions. While much effort has gone into estimating diffusivities associated with this closure, less attention has been paid to the details of how this closure (which tries to flatten isopycnals) interacts with the mixed layer (in which vertical mixing tries to drive the isopycnals vertical). In order to maintain numerical stability, models often stipulate a maximum slope S_max which in combination with the thickness diffusivity A_gm defines a maximum eddy-induced advective transport A_gm1S_max. In this paper, we examine the impact of changing S_max within the GFDL global coupled climate model. We show that this parameter produces significant changes in wintertime mixed layer depth, with implications for wintertime temperatures in key regions, the distribution of precipitation, and the vertical structure of heat uptake. Smaller changes are seen in details of ventilation and currents, and even smaller changes as regards the overall hydrography. The results suggest that not only the value of the coefficient, but the details of the tapering scheme, need to be considered when comparing isopycnal mixing schemes in models.     

Impact of spatial resolution on simulated surface water mass transformations in the Atlantic

We analyze the water mass transformation in coarse (1°) and high (1/6°) resolution ocean simulations with the identical configuration of the CLIPPER model and interannual ERA15 forcing function. Climatological characteristics of surface water mass transformation in the two experiments are quite different. The high resolution experiment exhibits a stronger surface transformation in equatorial and tropical regions, in the Gulf Stream area and in the location of the formation of Subtropical Mode Water (STMW), associated with high levels of eddy kinetic energy. The coarse resolution experiment shows a better representation of the transformation rates corresponding to the densest subpolar mode waters and Labrador Sea Water (LSW). This is explained by the differences in lateral mixing procedures between high and coarse resolution experiments. The high resolution 1/6° run is eddy-resolving only in the tropics and mid-latitudes. In these areas eddies are found to enhance the process of water mass transformation compared to the isopycnal diffusion used to parameterized the eddies in the 1° model. Despite its 1/6° resolution, the high resolution model does not adequately represent eddies in the subpolar gyre and Labrador Sea. In these areas the high resolution model fails to correctly simulate water mass transformation because the lateral mixing (provided through the bi-harmonic sub-gridscale parameterization) of newly ventilated waters with surrounding waters is not efficient enough. In contrast in the coarse 1° resolution model, the strong lateral mixing and the unrealistically broad boundary currents imposed by the high diffusivity required for numerical stability mixes newly formed LSW waters with the warmer and saltier waters of the rim current. Finally, it results in a more effective representation of the surface water mass transformation in high latitudes in the 1° model. A possible impact of the increased lateral diffusion in high resolution experiment on the representation of re-stratification in the Labrador Sea was studied in sensitivity experiments with different lateral diffusion coefficients compared to the regional eddy-resolving 1/15° simulation in the subpolar North Atlantic. If the eddies are not resolved in subpolar latitudes (as in the case of 1/6° model), the GM90 parameterization with the coefficient close to 800 m² s⁻¹ provides the closest agreement with the solution of eddy-resolving 1/15° model.