What is wrong with isopycnal diffusion in world ocean models?
In: Applied Mathematical Modelling. IPC Science and Technology Press/Elsevier Science: New York. ISSN 0307-904X; e-ISSN 1872-8480, more
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| Keywords |
Audiovisual materials > Graphics > Map graphics > Isopleths > Isopycnics
Modelling
Motion > Water motion > Circulation > Water circulation > Ocean circulation
Motion > Water motion > Circulation > Water circulation > Ocean circulation > Oceanic eddies > Mesoscale eddies
Transport processes > Diffusion
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Mathieu, P.-P., more
- Deleersnijder, E., more
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| Abstract |
Coarse grid Ocean General Circulation Models (OGCMs) take into account the effect of unresolved mesoscale eddies by means of a rotated mixing operator which diffuses tracers (such as temperature or salinity) along surfaces of constant potential density called isopycnals. In spite of its profitable physical aspects, the discrete version of the isopycnal mixing parameterization can produce oscillations in the tracer fields, which disagrees with the well-known properties of diffusion operators. The causes of this non-monotonic behaviour of a diffusion operator are highlighted. The location and magnitude of these over-/under-shootings are examined in the results of an OGCM. |
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