Collaborative Research: Observing and Characterizing Submesoscale Dynamics in the Arctic ocean

合作研究：观测和表征北冰洋次尺度动力学

• 批准号: 1107277
• 负责人: Andrey Proshutinsky
• 金额: $ 40.95万
• 依托单位: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-09-01 至 2015-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1107277&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Observing; Characterizing; Submesoscale

Preliminary analysis reveals that the Arctic Ocean mixed layer displays a complicated submesoscale structure with significant horizontal density gradients (fronts) and small eddies a few kilometers, or less, in diameter - features that are not resolvedby large-scale numerical models of the Arctic Ocean. Funds are provided to explore the role of submesoscale processes in regulating the climatically-important interactions among the Arctic atmosphere, sea-ice, ocean surface mixed layer and the underlying deeper ocean; a set of essential scientific questions will be addressed: What are the dominant characteristics of submesoscale horizontal density variability in the Arctic Ocean mixed layer? How do submesoscale dynamics in the mixed layer relate to mixed-layer depth and stratification? What mechanisms are responsible for the horizontal density variability in the mixed layer? What vertical motions are associated with submesoscale processes and how do they impact exchanges across the mixed layer? The PIs intend to investigate these aspects of the surface ocean dynamics and thermodynamics by a targeted field experiment accompanied by analysis of recent ocean (temperature, salinity and velocity) and sea-ice measurements, and directed dynamic process studies.Because submesoscale processes occur on spatial scales that are not explicitly resolved by existing models of the Arctic Ocean, their effects must be parameterized in order to accurately predict the dynamics and mixing environment of the ocean. In order to appropriately parameterize these processes, it is first necessary to understand how they are related to the large scale structure and dynamics of the ocean. This work will provide that basic knowledge, thus allowing future improvements to the models.

初步分析表明，北冰洋混合层呈现出复杂的亚介尺度结构，具有显着的水平密度梯度（锋面）和直径几公里或更小的小涡流，这些特征是北冰洋的大规模数值模型无法解决的。提供资金探索亚尺度过程在调节北极大气、海冰、海洋表面混合层和底层更深海洋之间具有气候重要性的相互作用中的作用；将解决一系列基本科学问题：北冰洋混合层亚中尺度水平密度变化的主要特征是什么？混合层中的亚尺度动力学与混合层深度和分层有何关系？混合层中水平密度变化的机制是什么？哪些垂直运动与亚尺度过程相关？它们如何影响混合层的交换？ PI 打算通过有针对性的现场实验来研究表面海洋动力学和热力学的这些方面，同时分析最近的海洋（温度、盐度和速度）和海冰测量，以及定向动态过程研究。因为亚介尺度过程发生在空间上现有的北冰洋模型没有明确解决这些尺度，因此必须对它们的影响进行参数化，以便准确预测海洋的动态和混合环境。 为了适当地参数化这些过程，首先有必要了解它们与海洋的大规模结构和动力学之间的关系。 这项工作将提供基础知识，从而允许未来改进模型。