Eddy Transport in the Ocean: Analysis and Parameterization

[0426307]这项活动的智力价值在于这项研究将有助于提高对海洋涡旋输送的理解和模型的参数化。该项目的目标是开发和实施一个理论上可支持的中尺度涡旋参数化，基于涡旋沿等平线输送位涡的概念，用于大尺度海洋模型。将采用的方法包括：在转换欧拉平均方法的基础上，在相关背景下发展涡动输运理论；模拟和分析涡旋在一系列日益复杂的海洋模式中的作用，并由此确定涡旋在大尺度环流中的作用；并制定和实现了一个参数化方案。在这种形式中，涡旋输送的平流部分没有被参数化，但转换后的环流（包括平流涡旋项）是对非平流涡旋输送强迫的响应。到目前为止，该方法已应用于相对简单的区域平均流量情况，但将在拟议的资助期早期扩展，在理想化和现实模型中纳入三维时间平均流量。更广泛的影响包括改进的涡旋参数化方案将对海洋环流及其在气候中的作用的模拟作出贡献。在实现这一目标的过程中，该项目还将产生其他成果，特别是在海洋涡旋输送理论方面取得进展，并提高对涡旋在海洋结构和环流中的作用的认识。这些结果中的每一个都对海洋及其在气候中的作用的建模和理解具有更广泛的潜在影响。研究成果将以通常的方式通过学术期刊和AGU等会议进行交流，并且通过麻省理工学院的研究生参与这项活动，它将影响研究生的培训。此外，至少有一名博士后科学家将在这个非常重要的领域接受培训。

0426307The intellectual merit of this activity rests on the contribution this research will make to improved understanding, and parameterization in models, of eddy transports in the ocean. The goal of the project is the development and implementation of a theoretically supportable parameterization of mesoscale eddies, based on the notion that eddies transport potential vorticity along isopycnals, for use in large-scale ocean models. The methodology to be employed comprises: development of the theory of eddy transport in relevant contexts, based on the transformed Eulerian mean approach; simulation and analysis of the role of eddies in a hierarchy of ocean models of increasing complexity and consequent identification of the role eddies play in the large-scale circulation; and formulation and implementation of a parameterization scheme. Within this formalism, the advective parts of eddy transport are not parameterized, but the transformed circulation (including the advective eddy terms) is the response to forcing by the non-advective eddy transport. Thus far, the methodology has been applied to the relatively simple case of zonal-mean flows, but this will be extended early in the proposed funding period to incorporate three-dimensional time-mean flows, in both idealized and realistic models. The broader impacts include the contribution an improved eddy parameterization scheme will make to modeling of the ocean circulation and its role in climate. Along the way to this goal, the project will produce other outcomes, especially advances in the theory of eddy transport in the ocean, and improved understanding of the role of eddies in the structure and circulation of the ocean. Each of these outcomes has broader potential impact on the modeling and understanding of the ocean and its role in climate. Research results will be communicated in the usual way, through scholarly journals and at meetings such as AGU and, through exposure of graduate students at M. I. T. to this activity, it will impact the training of graduate students. In addition, at least one postdoctoral scientist will receive training in this very important area.