Modelling and predicting the motion of ocean eddies from local current data

This paper considers the prediction of ocean eddy motion from a time series of current data taken at a single fixed location; a problem of relevance to the offshore oil industry. A simple eddy model forms the basis of an algorithm in which the characteristics of a distant eddy are deduced from a set of measured current velocities taken at a fixed location. The subsequent motion of the eddy is predicted which, in turn, enables eddy-induced currents to be forecast. Comparisons with both synthetically generated and actual current meter data from the Gulf of Mexico demonstrate the worth and accuracy of the model.     

Monsoon-driven biogeochemical processes in the Arabian Sea

Although it is nominally a tropical locale, the semiannual wind reversals associated with the Monsoon system of the Arabian Sea result annually in two distinct periods of elevated biological activity. While in both cases monsoonal forcing drives surface layer nutrient enrichment that supports increased rates of primary productivity, fundamentally different entrainment mechanisms are operating in summer (Southwest) and winter (Northeast) Monsoons. Moreover, the intervening intermonsoon periods, during which the region relaxes toward oligotrophic conditions more typical of tropical environments, provide a stark contrast to the dynamic biogeochemical activity of the monsoons. The resulting spatial and temporal variability is great and provides a significant challenge for ship-based surveys attempting to characterize the physical and biogeochemical environments of the region. This was especially true for expeditions in the pre-satellite era.Here, we present an overview of the dynamical response to seasonal monsoonal forcing and the characteristics of the physical environment that fundamentally drive regional biogeochemical variability. We then review past observations of the biological distributions that provided our initial insights into the pelagic system of the Arabian Sea. These evolved through the 1980s as additional methodologies, in particular the first synoptic ocean color distributions gathered by the Coastal Zone Color Scanner, became available. Through analyses of these observations and the first large-scale physical–biogeochemical modeling attempts, a pre-JGOFS understanding of the Arabian Sea emerged. During the 1990s, the in situ and remotely sensed observational databases were significantly extended by regional JGOFS activities and the onset of Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor ocean color measurements. Analyses of these new data and coupled physical–biogeochemical models have already advanced our understanding and have led to either an amplification or revision of the pre-JGOFS paradigms. Our understanding of this complex and variable ocean region is still evolving. Nonetheless, we have a much better understanding of time–space variability of biogeochemical properties in the Arabian Sea and much deeper insights about the physical and biological factors that drive them, as well as a number of challenging new directions to pursue.     

Operational Altimeter Data Processing for Mesoscale Monitoring

Since 1996, global, near-real-time maps of mesoscale anomalies derived from tandem sampling provided by altimeters aboard the TOPEX/Poseidon and ERS-2 satellites have been posted on web pages hosted at the Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research. The original, near-real-time processing system was based on a quick-look analysis that referenced the data to a high-resolution gridded mean sea surface available at the time. Recently, state-of-the-art mean sea surfaces have been derived that are based on a more complete record of altimeter observations. An updated mesoscale monitoring system based on a new mean surface is described and shown to provide improved mesoscale monitoring to the successful system implemented in 1996.     

Observations of the Alaskan Stream near Samalga Pass and its connection to the Bering Sea: 2001–2004

Year-long moorings were deployed across the Alaskan Stream near Samalga Pass (169°W) on two occasions, first in 2001–2002 (5 moorings) and again in 2003–2004 (3 moorings). Currents were measured throughout the water column, and temperature and salinity were measured at selected depths. Satellite altimetry and satellite-tracked drifters revealed a well defined Alaskan Stream, with the largest near-surface average speeds (>60 cm s⁻¹) and highest eddy kinetic energy just upstream from the mooring sites. Excluding periods when large eddies disrupted the flow, transport in the Alaskan Stream ranged from 10 to 30×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹. The estimated mean transport in 2001–2002 was 19×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹, and in 2003–2004 was 21×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹. Large (diameter>200 km), anti-cyclonic eddies were not uncommon in the vicinity of Samalga Pass (14 times in 20 year period, 1992–2012). Although there were no such eddies observed during the period 2000–2003, one of the largest ever recorded eddies occurred in spring 2004. In addition, smaller eddies occurred on several occasions. Eddies disrupted the flow, shifting the Alaskan Stream farther off shore and were clearly evident in both the satellite imagery and the mooring data. Other energetic events, which were less evident in the satellite records, but clearly evident in the mooring measurements, also disrupted the flow. In addition to the moorings in the Alaskan Stream, pressure gauges were placed in Samalga Pass and a single mooring measuring currents was placed in the Aleutian North Slope Current (ANSC) in the Bering Sea. The alongshore, near-surface flow measured at the moorings deployed on the 1000-m isobaths in the Alaskan Stream and the ANSC were significantly correlated with the bottom pressure time series. In addition, at periods longer than 14 days, the bottom pressure measured at the mooring sites in Samalga Pass was significantly correlated with the sea surface height measured by the satellites. The eddy kinetic energies measured from the satellites and from moorings were also significantly correlated.     

A numerical study of island wake generated by an elliptical tidal flow

An idealized numerical study of the influence of a tidal flow around an island has been undertaken with ROMS. The study focusses on coastal island wakes which are mainly controlled by elliptical tidal current flows on shallow shelves. This model is typical of some isolated continental shelf islands. The model is forced by a semi-diurnal barotropic inertia gravity wave imposed on the four open boundaries of a rectangular domain and its propagation results in an elliptical tidal flow within the domain in which the circular island lies. The influence of the surrounding island bathymetry and of the ellipse shape has been studied both in two and three dimensions. In the island vicinity, the residual circulation patterns over a tidal period show alongshore flow divergence along the major axis and convergence along the minor axis. A thin tidal ellipse (i.e. with a large ratio between major and minor axes) leads to strong eddy activity periods in the lee of the island during the flood and ebb phases, with eddy dissipation phases in between. By contrast, an almost round ellipse (axis ratio nearly 1) leads to vorticity filaments which continuously progress around the island without eddy shedding. The presence of a topographic slope in the vicinity of the island strengthens the eddy activity. This study suggests that the tidal current rotation favors the development of the eddy rotating in the same direction and weakens the development of the second eddy. In three dimensions with a surrounding bathymetry, an intense upwelling occurs in a large area in the lee of the island and the vertical velocities are stronger with thinner ellipses. With a flat bottom the vertical motions are almost fully generated by convergence and divergence of the secondary flow. With a varying bottom topography, the vertical motions come from a combination of this mechanism with convergence and divergence of the depth averaged flow.     

Operational Altimeter Data Processing for Mesoscale Monitoring

Since 1996, global, near-real-time maps of mesoscale anomalies derived from tandem sampling provided by altimeters aboard the TOPEX/Poseidon and ERS-2 satellites have been posted on web pages hosted at the Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research. The original, near-real-time processing system was based on a quick-look analysis that referenced the data to a high-resolution gridded mean sea surface available at the time. Recently, state-of-the-art mean sea surfaces have been derived that are based on a more complete record of altimeter observations. An updated mesoscale monitoring system based on a new mean surface is described and shown to provide improved mesoscale monitoring to the successful system implemented in 1996.     

Sea Surface Height Variability in the Indian Ocean from TOPEX/POSEIDON Altimetry and Model Simulations

Sea Surface Height (SSH) variability in the Indian Ocean during 1993-1995 is studied using TOPEX/POSEIDON (T/P) altimetry data. Strong interannual variability is seen in the surface circulation of the western Arabian Sea, especially in the Somali eddy structure. During the Southwest (SW) monsoon, a weak monsoon year is characterized by a single eddy system off Somalia, a strong or normal monsoon year by several energetic eddies. The Laccadive High (LH) and Laccadive Low (LL) systems off southwest India are observed in the altimetric SSH record. The variability of the East India Coastal Current (EICC), the western boundary current in the Bay of Bengal, is also detected. Evidence is found for the propagation of Kelvin and Rossby waves across the northern Indian Ocean; these are examined in the context of energy transfer to the western boundary currents, and associated eddies. A simple wind-driven isopycnal model having three active layers is implemented to simulate the seasonal changes of surface and subsurface circulation in the North Indian Ocean and to examine the response to different wind forcing. The wind forcing is derived from the ERS-1 scatterometer wind stress for the same period as the T/P altimeter data, enabling the model response in different (active/weak) monsoon conditions to be tested. The model output is derived in 10-day snapshots to match the time period of the T/P altimeter cycles. Complex Principal Component Analysis (CPCA) is applied to both altimetric and model SSH data. This confirms that long Rossby waves are excited by the remotely forced Kelvin waves off the southwest coast of India and contribute substantially to the variability of the seasonal circulation in the Arabian Sea.     

Coastal currents and eddies and their interaction with topography

The nonlinear interaction of vorticity driven coastal currents and eddies with topography is studied. The topography is either a semi-infinite escarpment perpendicular to the coast (such that topographic waves propagate toward the coast) or a semi-circular canyon or seamount attached to the coast. Assuming a piecewise constant potential vorticity distribution, the quasigeostrophic equations are solved using contour dynamics. Offshore propagating dipole eddies occur, whenever a coastal current or eddy interacts with escarpment and canyon topographies. The size and frequency at which dipoles form are found to depend on the vorticity of the current and amplitude of the topography. However, for a seamount, little eddy shedding is observed and the coastal current or eddy skirts around topography.     

Hydrodynamic modelling of mesoscale eddies in the Black Sea

A three dimensional structure of mesoscale circulation in the Black Sea is simulated using the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory Coastal Ocean Modelling System. A number of sensitivity tests reveal the response of the model to changes in the horizontal resolution, time steps, and diffusion coefficients. Three numerical grids are examined with x-fine (3.2 km), fine (6.7 km) and coarse (25 km) resolution. It is found that the coarse grid significantly overestimates the energy of the currents and is not adequate even for the study of basin-scale circulation. The x-fine grid, on the other hand, does not give significant advantages compared to the fine grid, and the latter is used for the bulk of simulations. The most adequate parameters are chosen from the sensitivity study and used to model both the basin-scale circulation and day-to-day variability of mesoscale currents for the months of May and June of 2000. The model is forced with actual wind data every 6 h and monthly climatic data for evaporation, precipitation, heat fluxes and river run-off. The results of the fine grid model are compared favourably against the satellite imagery. The model adequately reproduces the general circulation and many mesoscale features including cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies, jets and filaments in different parts of the Black Sea. The model gives a realistic geographical distribution and parameters of mesoscale currents, such as size, shape and evolution of the eddies.     

Research Progress of Long-term Ocean Temperature Changes in the Southern Ocean

In the recent decades， a large amount of anthropogenic heat has been absorbed and stored in the Southern Ocean. Results from observations and climate models' simulations both show that the Southern Ocean displays large warming in the upper and subsurface ocean that maximizes at 45°~40°S. However， the underlying mechanisms and evolution processes of the Southern Ocean temperature changes remain unclear， leaving the Southern Ocean to be a hotspot of climate change studies in the recent years. The present study summarized the current progress in the observations and numerical modeling of long-term temperature changes in the Southern Ocean. The effects of changes in wind， surface heat flux， sea-ice and other factors on the ocean temperature changes were presented， along with the introduction to the role of oceanic mean circulation and eddies. The present study further proposed that a deepening of the understanding in the Southern Ocean temperature change may be achieved by investigating the fast and slow responses of the Southern Ocean to external radiative forcing， which are respectively associated with the fast adjustments of the ocean mixed-layer and the slow evolution of the deep ocean. Specifically， the striking and fast mixed-layer ocean warming north of 50°S is tightly related to the surface heat absorption over upwelling regions and wind-driven meridional heat transport， resulting in enhanced warming around 45°S. While in the slow response of the Southern Ocean temperature， the enhanced ocean warming shifts southward and downward， mainly associating with the heat transfer from oceanic eddies. The Southern Ocean temperature has pronounced climatic effects on many aspects， such as global energy balance， sea-level rise， ocean stratification changes， regional surface warming and atmospheric circulation changes. However， large model biases/deficiencies in simulating the present-day climatology and essential ocean dynamic processes last in generations of climate models， which are the main challenge in advancing our understanding in the mechanisms for the Southern Ocean climate changes. Therefore， to achieve reliable future projections of the Southern Ocean climate， substantial efforts will be needed to improve the model performances and physical understanding in the relative role of various processes in ocean temperature changes at different time scales.