CMG COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: From internal waves to mixing in the ocean

CMG 合作研究：从内波到海洋中的混合

• 批准号: 1024180
• 负责人: Oliver Buhler
• 金额: $ 38.2万
• 依托单位: New York University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-09-01 至 2014-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1024180&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: CMG; COLLABORATIVE; RESEARCH; internal; waves

The contribution of internal waves to the rate of tracer transport in the ocean is investigated using a multi-pronged approach that combines mathematical wave?mean interaction theory, physical modeling, numerical simulation, and comparison with observational field data. Specific topics to be studied include the vertical and horizontal mixing of tracers induced by breaking internal waves, the horizontal dispersion of tracers by non-breaking internal waves, and the structure and transport induced by waves generated by geostrophic flow over topography.Intellectual meritThe proposed research is timely and motivated firstly because of the current and increasing availability of high-resolution ocean data, and secondly because of the current dawning of an era of gravity-wave-permitting ocean models. In such models we can anticipate in the coming years the emergence of numerical gravity waves, albeit at the threshold of the model resolution. This research is anticipated to provide better guidance and an improved framework in which to interpret sub-mesoscale observations both in the field and in high-resolution numerical models. Investigating these issues also raises new mathematical research questions, for instance in the area of non-Gaussian wave theory. So this project is a conceptual two-way link between intertwining mathematical and geophysical research trajectories.Broader impactResults from this theoretical study may feed into the future design of next-generation ocean forecasting systems for weather and climate, which is of great societal importance. On the educational side, training in advanced mathematics and applied science is paramount to the research elements of this proposal. The proposal includes training of a post-doctoral researcher and a PhD student as well as provision for merit-based stipends for advanced undergraduates interested in research experiences. Experience shows that such early research experiences on topics of fundamental importance can trigger an undergraduate's decision to apply for graduate school in mathematics or in another natural science.

采用多管齐下的方法研究了内波对海洋中示踪剂传输速​​率的贡献，该方法结合了数学波平均相互作用理论、物理建模、数值模拟以及与观测现场数据的比较。具体研究课题包括破碎内波引起的示踪剂的垂直和水平混合、非破碎内波引起的示踪剂的水平分散以及地转流在地形上产生的波引起的结构和输运。之所以及时和有动力，首先是因为目前高分辨率海洋数据的可用性不断增加，其次是因为重力波允许海洋模型时代的到来。在这样的模型中，我们可以预见未来几年数值重力波的出现，尽管处于模型分辨率的阈值。这项研究预计将为解释现场和高分辨率数值模型中的亚介尺度观测提供更好的指导和改进的框架。研究这些问题还提出了新的数学研究问题，例如非高斯波理论领域。因此，这个项目是数学和地球物理研究轨迹相互交织的概念上的双向联系。更广泛的影响这项理论研究的结果可能会被用于下一代天气和气候海洋预报系统的未来设计，这具有重大的社会重要性。在教育方面，高等数学和应用科学的培训对于该提案的研究要素至关重要。该提案包括培训一名博士后研究员和一名博士生，以及为对研究经验感兴趣的高年级本科生提供择优津贴。经验表明，这种关于具有根本重要性的主题的早期研究经历可以触发本科生申请数学或其他自然科学研究生院的决定。