The deep equatorial ocean circulation in wind-forced numerical solutions.

Ascani, François, Firing, Eric, McCreary, Julian P., Brandt, Peter and Greatbatch, Richard John (2015) The deep equatorial ocean circulation in wind-forced numerical solutions. Open Access Journal of Physical Oceanography, 45 . pp. 1709-1734. DOI 10.1175/JPO-D-14-0171.1.

[thumbnail of jpo-d-14-0171.1-1.pdf]
Preview
Text
jpo-d-14-0171.1-1.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0.

Download (4MB) | Preview
[thumbnail of jpo-d-14-0171.1.pdf]
Preview
Text
jpo-d-14-0171.1.pdf - Published Version

Download (9MB) | Preview

Supplementary data:

Abstract

We perform eddy-resolving and high-vertical-resolution numerical simulations of the circulation in an idealized equatorial Atlantic Ocean in order to explore the formation of the deep equatorial circulation (DEC) in this basin. Unlike in previous studies, the deep equatorial intraseasonal variability (DEIV) that is believed to be the source of the DEC is generated internally by instabilities of the upper ocean currents.

Two main simulations are discussed: Solution 1, configured with a rectangular basin and with wind forcing that is zonally and temporally uniform; and Solution 2, with realistic coastlines and with an annual cycle of wind forcing varying zonally. Somewhat surprisingly, Solution 1 produces the more realistic DEC: The large-vertical-scale currents (Equatorial Intermediate Currents or EICs) are found over a large zonal portion of the basin, and the small-vertical-scale equatorial currents (Equatorial Deep Jets or EDJs) form low-frequency, quasi-resonant, baroclinic equatorial basin modes with phase propagating mostly downward, consistent with observations. We demonstrate that both types of currents arise from the rectification of DEIV, consistent with previous theories. We also find that the EDJs contribute to maintaining the EICs, suggesting that the nonlinear energy transfer is more complex than previously thought. In Solution 2, the DEC is unrealistically weak and less spatially coherent than in the first simulation probably because of its weaker DEIV. Using intermediate solutions, we find that the main reason for this weaker DEIV is the use of realistic coastlines in Solution 2. It remains to be determined, what needs to be modified or included to obtain a realistic DEC in the more realistic configuration.

Document Type: Article
Funder compliance: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/603521
Additional Information: WOS:000356227700014
Keywords: Geographic location/entity, Tropics, Circulation/ Dynamics, Baroclinic flows, Instability, Nonlinear dynamics, Ocean dynamics, Models and modeling, Primitive equations model
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB1 Ocean Circulation and Climate Dynamics > FB1-TM Theory and Modeling
OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB1 Ocean Circulation and Climate Dynamics > FB1-PO Physical Oceanography
OceanRep > SFB 754
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: No
Publisher: AMS (American Meteorological Society)
Related URLs:
Projects: SFB754, PIRATA, SACUS, PREFACE
Expeditions/Models/Experiments:
Date Deposited: 04 May 2015 12:43
Last Modified: 18 May 2021 09:32
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/28726

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item