On the Errors of Estimating Oceanic Eddy Kinetic Energy

2021 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guidi Zhou ◽  
Xuhua Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽  
Oceanic Eddy

scholarly journals Simulations of Nearshore Particle-Pair Dispersion in Southern California

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (9) ◽  
pp. 1862-1879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonel Romero ◽  
Yusuke Uchiyama ◽  
J. Carter Ohlmann ◽  
James C. McWilliams ◽  
David A. Siegel
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Southern California ◽  
Separation Distance ◽  
Horizontal Resolution ◽  
Particle Dispersion ◽  
Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽  
Relative Dispersion ◽  
Numerical Resolution ◽  
Relative Diffusivity ◽  
Pair Separation

Abstract Knowledge of horizontal relative dispersion in nearshore oceans is important for many applications including the transport and fate of pollutants and the dynamics of nearshore ecosystems. Two-particle dispersion statistics are calculated from millions of synthetic particle trajectories from high-resolution numerical simulations of the Southern California Bight. The model horizontal resolution of 250 m allows the investigation of the two-particle dispersion, with an initial pair separation of 500 m. The relative dispersion is characterized with respect to the coastal geometry, bathymetry, eddy kinetic energy, and the relative magnitudes of strain and vorticity. Dispersion is dominated by the submesoscale, not by tides. In general, headlands are more energetic and dispersive than bays. Relative diffusivity estimates are smaller and more anisotropic close to shore. Farther from shore, the relative diffusivity increases and becomes less anisotropic, approaching isotropy ~10 km from the coast. The degree of anisotropy of the relative diffusivity is qualitatively consistent with that for eddy kinetic energy. The total relative diffusivity as a function of pair separation distance R is on average proportional to R5/4. Additional Lagrangian experiments at higher horizontal numerical resolution confirmed the robustness of these results. Structures of large vorticity are preferably elongated and aligned with the coastline nearshore, which may limit cross-shelf dispersion. The results provide useful information for the design of subgrid-scale mixing parameterizations as well as quantifying the transport and dispersal of dissolved pollutants and biological propagules.

scholarly journals Numerical simulation and decomposition of kinetic energy in the Central Mediterranean: insight on mesoscale circulation and energy conversion

Ocean Science ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 503-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Sorgente ◽  
A. Olita ◽  
P. Oddo ◽  
L. Fazioli ◽  
A. Ribotti
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Ocean Model ◽  
Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽  
Tyrrhenian Sea ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Baroclinic Energy Conversion ◽  
Sicily Channel ◽  
Mean Kinetic Energy

Abstract. The spatial and temporal variability of eddy and mean kinetic energy of the Central Mediterranean region has been investigated, from January 2008 to December 2010, by mean of a numerical simulation mainly to quantify the mesoscale dynamics and their relationships with physical forcing. In order to understand the energy redistribution processes, the baroclinic energy conversion has been analysed, suggesting hypotheses about the drivers of the mesoscale activity in this area. The ocean model used is based on the Princeton Ocean Model implemented at 1/32° horizontal resolution. Surface momentum and buoyancy fluxes are interactively computed by mean of standard bulk formulae using predicted model Sea Surface Temperature and atmospheric variables provided by the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast operational analyses. At its lateral boundaries the model is one-way nested within the Mediterranean Forecasting System operational products. The model domain has been subdivided in four sub-regions: Sardinia channel and southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Sicily channel, eastern Tunisian shelf and Libyan Sea. Temporal evolution of eddy and mean kinetic energy has been analysed, on each of the four sub-regions, showing different behaviours. On annual scales and within the first 5 m depth, the eddy kinetic energy represents approximately the 60 % of the total kinetic energy over the whole domain, confirming the strong mesoscale nature of the surface current flows in this area. The analyses show that the model well reproduces the path and the temporal behaviour of the main known sub-basin circulation features. New mesoscale structures have been also identified, from numerical results and direct observations, for the first time as the Pantelleria Vortex and the Medina Gyre. The classical kinetic energy decomposition (eddy and mean) allowed to depict and to quantify the permanent and fluctuating parts of the circulation in the region, and to differentiate the four sub-regions as function of relative and absolute strength of the mesoscale activity. Furthermore the Baroclinic Energy Conversion term shows that in the Sardinia Channel the mesoscale activity, due to baroclinic instabilities, is significantly larger than in the other sub-regions, while a negative sign of the energy conversion, meaning a transfer of energy from the Eddy Kinetic Energy to the Eddy Available Potential Energy, has been recorded only for the surface layers of the Sicily Channel during summer.

scholarly journals Numerical simulation and decomposition of kinetic energies in the Central Mediterranean Sea: insight on mesoscale circulation and energy conversion

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1161-1214 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Sorgente ◽  
A. Olita ◽  
P. Oddo ◽  
L. Fazioli ◽  
A. Ribotti
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Ocean Model ◽  
Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Central Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Baroclinic Energy Conversion ◽  
Mean Kinetic Energy

Abstract. The spatial and temporal variability of eddy and mean kinetic energy of the Central Mediterranean Sea has been investigated, from January 2008 to December 2010, by mean of a numerical simulation mainly to quantify the mesoscale dynamics and their relationships with physical forcing. In order to understand the energy redistribution processes, the baroclinic energy conversion has been analysed, suggesting hypotheses about the drivers of the mesoscale activity in this area. The ocean model used is based on the Princeton Ocean Model implemented at 1/32° horizontal resolution. Surface momentum and buoyancy fluxes are interactively computed by mean of standard bulk formulae using predicted model Sea Surface Temperature and atmospheric variables provided by the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast operational analyses. At its lateral boundaries the model is one-way nested within the Mediterranean Forecasting System operational products. The model domain has been subdivided in four sub-regions: Sardinia channel and southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Sicily channel, eastern Tunisian shelf and Libyan Sea. Temporal evolution of eddy and mean kinetic energy has been analysed, on each of the four sub-regions composing the model domain, showing different behaviours. On annual scales and within the first 5 m depth, the eddy kinetic energy represents approximately the 60 % of the total kinetic energy over the whole domain, confirming the strong mesoscale nature of the surface current flows in this area. The analyses show that the model well reproduces the path and the temporal behaviour of the main known sub-basin circulation features. New mesoscale structures have been also identified, from numerical results and direct observations, for the first time as the Pantelleria Vortex and the Medina Gyre. The classical the kinetic energy decomposition (eddy and mean) allowed to depict and to quantify the stable and fluctuating parts of the circulation in the region, and to differentiate the four sub-regions as function of relative and absolute strength of the mesoscale activity. Furthermore the Baroclinic Energy Conversion term shows that in the Sardinia Channel the mesoscale activity, due to baroclinic instabilities, is significantly larger than in the other sub-regions, while a negative sign of the energy conversion, meaning a transfer of energy from the Eddy Kinetic Energy to the Eddy Available Potential Energy, has been recorded only for the surface layers of the Sicily Channel during summer.

scholarly journals On the Role of Asymmetric Convective Bursts to the Problem of Hurricane Intensification: Radiation of Vortex Rossby Waves and Wave–Mean Flow Interactions

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 2057-2077 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Menelaou ◽  
M. K. Yau
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Thermal Anomaly ◽  
Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽  
Intensity Change ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Symmetric Flow ◽  
Thermal Forcing ◽  
Sensitivity Experiments ◽  
Flow Interactions

Abstract The role of asymmetric convection to the intensity change of a weak vortex is investigated with the aid of a “dry” thermally forced model. Numerical experiments are conducted, starting with a weak vortex forced by a localized thermal anomaly. The concept of wave activity, the Eliassen–Palm flux, and eddy kinetic energy are then applied to identify the nature of the dominant generated waves and to diagnose their kinematics, structure, and impact on the primary vortex. The physical reasons for which disagreements with previous studies exist are also investigated utilizing the governing equation for potential vorticity (PV) perturbations and a number of sensitivity experiments. From the control experiment, it is found that the response of the vortex is dominated by the radiation of a damped sheared vortex Rossby wave (VRW) that acts to accelerate the symmetric flow through the transport of angular momentum. An increase of the kinetic energy of the symmetric flow by the VRW is shown also from the eddy kinetic energy budget. Additional tests performed on the structure and the magnitude of the initial thermal forcing confirm the robustness of the results and emphasize the significance of the wave–mean flow interaction to the intensification process. From the sensitivity experiments, it is found that for a localized thermal anomaly, regardless of the baroclinicity of the vortex and the radial and vertical gradients of the thermal forcing, the resultant PV perturbation follows a damping behavior, thus suggesting that deceleration of the vortex should not be expected.

scholarly journals Interannual Eddy Kinetic Energy Modulations in the Agulhas Return Current

2018 ◽  
Vol 123 (9) ◽  
pp. 6449-6462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanan Zhu ◽  
Bo Qiu ◽  
Xiaopei Lin ◽  
Fan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽  
Return Current

Response of the Southern Ocean to the Southern Annular Mode: Interannual Variability and Multidecadal Trend

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
pp. 1659-1668 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Treguier ◽  
J. Le Sommer ◽  
J. M. Molines ◽  
B. de Cuevas
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Interannual Variability ◽  
Time Scales ◽  
Meridional Circulation ◽  
Southern Annular Mode ◽  
Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽  
Overturning Circulation ◽  
Annular Mode ◽  
Meridional Overturning

Abstract The authors evaluate the response of the Southern Ocean to the variability and multidecadal trend of the southern annular mode (SAM) from 1972 to 2001 in a global eddy-permitting model of the DRAKKAR project. The transport of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is correlated with the SAM at interannual time scales but exhibits a drift because of the thermodynamic adjustment of the model (the ACC transport decreases because of a low renewal rate of dense waters around Antarctica). The interannual variability of the eddy kinetic energy (EKE) and the ACC transport are uncorrelated, but the EKE decreases like the ACC transport over the three decades, even though meridional eddy fluxes of heat and buoyancy remain stable. The contribution of oceanic eddies to meridional transports is an important issue because a growth of the poleward eddy transport could, in theory, oppose the increase of the mean overturning circulation forced by the SAM. In the authors’ model, the total meridional circulation at 50°S is well correlated with the SAM index (and the Ekman transport) at interannual time scales, and both increase over three decades between 1972 and 2001. However, given the long-term drift, no SAM-linked trend in the eddy contribution to the meridional overturning circulation is detectable. The increase of the meridional overturning is due to the time-mean component and is compensated by an increased buoyancy gain at the surface. The authors emphasize that the meridional circulation does not vary in a simple relationship with the zonal circulation. The model solution points out that the zonal circulation and the eddy kinetic energy are governed by different mechanisms according to the time scale considered (interannual or decadal).

Spatio-Temporal Variability of the Eddy Kinetic Energy in the South Atlantic Ocean

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2010-2014
Author(s):  
C. M. Cecilio ◽  
D. F. M. Gherardi ◽  
R. B. Souza ◽  
M. Correa-Ramirez
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Temporal Variability ◽  
South Atlantic ◽  
Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽  
South Atlantic Ocean ◽  
The South ◽  
Spatio Temporal

scholarly journals Instability-Driven Benthic Storms below the Separated Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic Current in a High-Resolution Ocean Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (10) ◽  
pp. 2283-2303 ◽  
Author(s):  
René Schubert ◽  
Arne Biastoch ◽  
Meghan F. Cronin ◽  
Richard J. Greatbatch
Keyword(s):  
Energy Transfer ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Gulf Stream ◽  
Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽  
North Atlantic Current ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
Atlantic Current

AbstractBenthic storms are important for both the energy budget of the ocean and for sediment resuspension and transport. Using 30 years of output from a high-resolution model of the North Atlantic, it is found that most of the benthic storms in the model occur near the western boundary in association with the Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic Current, in regions that are generally collocated with the peak near-bottom eddy kinetic energy. A common feature is meander troughs in the near-surface jets that are accompanied by deep low pressure anomalies spinning up deep cyclones with near-bottom velocities of up to more than 0.5 m s−1. A case study of one of these events shows the importance of both baroclinic and barotropic instability of the jet, with energy being extracted from the jet in the upstream part of the meander trough and partly returned to the jet in the downstream part of the meander trough. This motivates examining the 30-yr time mean of the energy transfer from the (annual mean) background flow into the eddy kinetic energy. This quantity is shown to be collocated well with the region in which benthic storms and large increases in deep cyclonic relative vorticity occur most frequently, suggesting an important role for mixed barotropic–baroclinic instability-driven cyclogenesis in generating benthic storms throughout the model simulation. Regions of the largest energy transfer and most frequent benthic storms are found to be the Gulf Stream west of the New England Seamounts and the North Atlantic Current near Flemish Cap.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document