Quantifying the Oceanic Kinetic Energy Cascade with Altimeter Data and Ocean Circulation Models

光谱通量是测量级联的强度和方向的基本量，级联在海洋中不同长度（和时间）尺度之间重新分配能量。这超出了测量，例如，光谱，它只揭示了每个尺度的能量。简而言之，光谱通量解释了光谱。 虽然光谱能量通量在20多年前就在大气中测量到了，但直到卫星测高技术的发展，它们才在海洋中测量到。 2005年，两名研究人员（Scott和Wang）研究了南太平洋5S和60S之间的光谱能量通量。 试点研究的结果得出了一个普遍的形状的光谱通量，这是令人惊讶的类似大气的情况下，但它是不确定的，如果通量有一个普遍的质量在不同的海洋盆地。在这项研究中，来自得克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校（斯科特）的研究人员将扩大在南太平洋的试点研究测量的全球研究的光谱动能通量的世界海洋。 为了帮助解释阻止高档级联的过程，试点研究的技术将被扩展到在纬向和纬向方向分别测量能量级联。 为了解释前叶栅的命运，同样的技术将被扩展到测量从较低频率到较高频率的动能通量。 然而，由于高度计只直接测量上层海洋的光谱通量，因此必须根据其深度积分来解释表面信号。由于高度计资料在很大程度上反映了第一斜压模态，该假设提供了一种对谱通量进行深度积分的方法。 为了验证这一理论，研究人员将使用两种互补的方法。首先，将检查来自三个海洋环流模拟研究的模拟数据。 这种技术将随后由输入到地面地转流的风力和从高度计估计的动能通量的散度之间的比较。目标是量化世界海洋中的动能级联，目的是进一步了解机械能预算和耗散途径。 更广泛的影响：这些信息将有助于了解什么样的能量可用于驱动海洋中的纵摇混合，其来源及其空间分布。由于混合是一个关键的海洋过程，必须在模拟当前和未来气候的最先进模型中进行参数化，因此这些结果对于指导未来关于世界海洋及其影响的气候的可变性和可预测性的研究至关重要。 此外，该项目还将为一名博士后提供培训和支助。

ABSTRACTOCE-0526412The spectral flux is a fundamental quantity that measures the strength and direction of the cascades, which redistributes the energy between different length (and time) scales in the ocean. This goes beyond measuring, for instance, the spectrum, which only reveals the energy at each scale. In short, the spectral flux explains the spectrum. Though spectral energy fluxes were measured in the atmosphere over twenty years ago, they were not measurable in the ocean until the development of satellite altimetry. In 2005 two researchers (Scott and Wang) examined the spectral energy fluxes in the South Pacific between 5S and 60S. The results from the pilot study yielded a universal shape to the spectral flux that was surprisingly similar to the atmospheric case, but it was indeterminable if the flux had a universal quality in different ocean basins.In this study, a researcher from the University of Texas at Austin (Scott) will extend the pilot study measurements in the South Pacific to a global study of the spectral kinetic energy flux of the World Ocean. To help interpret the processes arresting the upscale cascade, the technique of the pilot study will be extended to measure the energy cascade separately in the zonal and meridional directions. To interpret the fate of the forward cascade, the same technique will be extended to measure the flux of kinetic energy from lower frequencies to higher frequencies. However, since the altimeter only directly measures the upper ocean spectral flux, the surface signal in terms of its depth integral will have to be interpreted. Because it has been argued that the altimeter data largely reflects the first baroclinic mode, the hypothesis provides a method of depth integrating the spectral flux. To test this theory the researcher will use two complementary approaches. First, the simulated data from three ocean general circulation-modeling studies will be examined. This technique will then be followed by a comparison between the wind power input to the surface geostrophic flow and the divergence of kinetic energy flux estimated from the altimetry. The goal is to quantify the kinetic energy cascades in the World Ocean, with the aim toward further understanding the mechanical energy budget and pathways toward dissipation. Broader Impacts: This information will be of value for understanding what energy is available to drive diapycnal mixing in the ocean, its sources, and its spatial distribution. Since mixing is a critical oceanic process that must be parameterized in state-of-the-art models that simulate present and future climate, these results will be crucial for guiding future research on the variability and predictability of the World Ocean and the climate that it influences. In addition, the project will also provide for the training and support of a post-doc.