Theoretical studies in the nonlinear dynamics of ocean currents, eddies and waves

洋流、涡流和波浪非线性动力学的理论研究

基本信息

批准号：
RGPIN-2015-05038
负责人：
Swaters, Gordon
金额：
$ 1.6万
依托单位：
University of Alberta
依托单位国家：
加拿大
项目类别：
Discovery Grants Program - Individual
财政年份：
2018
资助国家：
加拿大
起止时间：
2018-01-01 至 2019-12-31
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=666294
关键词：
Theoretical studies nonlinear dynamics ocean

项目摘要

The ocean is a highly nonlinear turbulent caldron of ocean currents, eddies and waves that span time scales from minutes to years and space scales from centimetres to thousands of kilometres. Many of the physical processes observed in the ocean are not yet fully understood in terms of fundamental geophysical fluid dynamics. Discovering and deciphering the detailed dynamics of the ocean has the potential to make a profound impact on our ability to understand and predict the full range of dynamical responses that can occur as the environmental "drivers" of ocean physics change over time. ******My long-term research objective is focused on discovering new dynamics and developing new physical insights into the fundamental nonlinear geophysical fluid mechanics of ocean currents, eddies and waves and to apply this new knowledge to understand existing and to predict new complex ocean flows. My research program exploits innovative theoretical models, mathematical analysis and computational simulations to describe and explain nonlinear oceanographic dynamical processes from the sub-mesoscale (e.g., internal gravity waves) to the mesoscale (e.g., baroclinic instability and eddy dynamics) to the basin scale (e.g., abyssal ocean circulation theory). Another objective of my research program is to predict where new or interesting physical oceanographic processes may be occurring in order to motivate further specific observational or numerical studies. I will address these objectives by:******1. Within the context of my research into abyssal ocean currents, I will (i) solve the important problem of the non-hydrostatic mixed Kelvin Helmholtz-frictional destabilization of abyssal overflows paying particular attention to describing the downslope flow, mixing and internal gravity wave generation properties; (ii) describe and clarify the role of baroclinic vortex stretching in the generation of surface-intensified mesoscale eddies associated with abyssal overflows; (iii) describe and clarify the role of dissipation and internal waves in the cross equatorial flow of abyssal ocean currents paying particular attention to predicting where in the equatorial Atlantic ocean these mixing processes are occurring, ***2. Within the context of my research into nonlinear baroclinic instability, I will solve the very important and challenging problem of determining the nonlinear evolution of wave packets at the point of marginal stability when the background flow exhibits time variability. This research has the potential to make a groundbreaking advance in our understanding of the dynamics of nonlinear baroclinic waves and their role in large-scale mixing. ******I will be training three MSc and two PhD students. In addition to making high-quality research contributions, my students learn highly desirable skills in formulating tractable research questions, logical reasoning, team work and computer programing and simulation.**

海洋是一个由洋流、涡流和波浪组成的高度非线性的湍流大锅，其时间尺度从几分钟到几年，空间尺度从厘米到数千公里，在海洋中观察到的许多物理过程尚未完全被理解。基础地球物理流体动力学。发现和破译海洋的详细动力学有可能对我们理解和预测全方位的能力产生深远的影响。随着时间的推移，海洋物理的环境“驱动因素”发生变化，可能会发生动态响应 ******我的长期研究目标是发现新的动力学并开发对海洋基本非线性地球物理流体力学的新物理见解。我的研究项目利用创新的理论模型、数学分析和计算模拟来描述和解释非线性海洋动力学过程。我的研究计划的另一个目标是预测新的或有趣的物理现象在哪里。为了促进进一步的具体观测或数值研究，我将通过以下方式实现这些目标：******1。在我对深海洋流的研究中，我将（i）解决深海溢流的非静水混合开尔文亥姆霍兹摩擦不稳定的重要问题，特别关注描述下坡流、混合和内部重力波产生特性；描述并阐明斜压涡旋拉伸在与相关的表面强化中尺度涡流的产生中的作用深海溢流；(iii) 描述并阐明深海洋流穿过赤道的流动中的耗散和内波的作用，特别注意预测这些混合过程在赤道大西洋的何处发生，***2。在我对非线性斜压不稳定性研究的背景下，我将解决确定波包在边际稳定点的非线性演化的非常重要且具有挑战性的问题当背景流表现出时间变化时。这项研究有可能在我们对非线性斜斜波动力学及其在大规模混合中的作用的理解方面取得突破性进展。 ******我将培训三个理学硕士和两名博士生除了做出高质量的研究贡献外，我的学生还学习了制定易处理的研究问题、逻辑推理、团队合作以及计算机编程和模拟方面的非常理想的技能。**