Zonal versus meridional velocity variance in satellite observations and realistic and idealized ocean circulation models

Scott, Robert B.; Arbic, Brian K.; Holland, Christina L.; Sen, Ayon; Qiu, Bo. 2008 Zonal versus meridional velocity variance in satellite observations and realistic and idealized ocean circulation models. Ocean Modelling, 23 (3-4). 102-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2008.04.009

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2008.04.009

Abstract/Summary

Global, high-quality, satellite-based observation of oceanic currents over the past 13 years has revealed ubiquitous quasi-horizontal eddies in the mesoscale (tens to hundreds of kilometers), confirming the view of a highly turbulent ocean suggested by observational programs in the 1970s. Idealized quasigeostrophic turbulence models suggest mesoscale turbulent flow can vary between isotropic, and highly anisotropic zonal jets. Here we compare the zonal and meridional velocity variance from satellite altimetry. We find that, for an unexplained reason and despite the chaotic nature of turbulence, the surface flow is organized into mesoscale patches where either zonal or meridional velocity variance dominates. The patches persist over 13 years, much longer than the turbulent timescale of a few months. Implications include potentially highly anisotropic redistribution of tracers by the mesoscale flow. Zonally averaged velocity variances reveal a slight preference for meridional over zonal velocity variance. Realistic primitive equation models succeed in reproducing both the patchy structure in local preference for either zonal or meridional velocity variance, and the zonally averaged preference for meridional variance. Idealized models of fully developed, quasigeostrophic turbulence fail in both regards.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2008.04.009
ISSN:	1463-5003
Additional Keywords:	Quasigeostrophic turbulence; Anisotropy; Jets; Turbulent diffusion
Date made live:	03 Mar 2009 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/165649

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2008.04.009

ISSN:

1463-5003

Additional Keywords:

Quasigeostrophic turbulence; Anisotropy; Jets; Turbulent diffusion

Date made live:

03 Mar 2009 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/165649