Mixing, dissipation and scale interactions in the oceanic circulation from an integrated theoretical and observational perspective

从综合理论和观测的角度研究海洋环流中的混合、耗散和尺度相互作用

• 批准号: RGPIN-2015-04866
• 负责人: Waterman, Stephanie
• 金额: $ 1.6万
• 依托单位: University of British Columbia
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2018-01-01 至 2019-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=668239
• 关键词: Mixing; dissipation; scale; interactions; oceanic

Ocean circulation is the product of a myriad of processes operating at an enormous range of space and time scales. These range from basin-scale forcing patterns that drive the large-scale currents, to centimetre-scale turbulence that drives ocean mixing and dissipation. A major focus of recent research has been to quantify the large-scale forcing of the global circulation. However, the small-scale mechanisms of mixing and dissipation, as well as the multi-scale processes responsible for the transfer of energy from large to small scales, are of equal importance in governing ocean circulation and the ocean's role in the climate system. These processes remain poorly understood and, as a consequence, inadequately represented in climate models.***Through novel observational studies and closely-tied theoretical investigations, my research program will target a process-based understanding of the energy cascade and the turbulence that ultimately arrests it. It will investigate scale-interactions and scale-dependent mixing in idealised, actual and modelled oceanic flows. In this way, it will build an understanding of these processes step-by-step, produce global maps of their observed action and impact, and evaluate their representation in state-of-the-art climate models. Alongside these studies, I will build a unique observational program targeting turbulent dissipation and mixing rates and their underlying physical mechanisms. The focus will be on the role of these processes in driving exchange between the continental shelves and the deep basins off Canada's coasts. Enabled by state-of-the-art ocean observing technology, specifically an autonomous robotic observing platform equipped with turbulence-sensing instrumentation, my program will realise a step change in our ability to make the necessary multi-scale observations. Further it will do so in remote locations at a fraction of the cost of traditional observing platforms.***Physically-based parameterizations of scale interactions and the accurate representation of mixing and dissipation in ocean models are critical to improving confidence in our projections of future climate change. By applying a novel analysis technique to the study of these processes, my work has the potential to provide unique insight into how these processes work and suggest new ideas for model parameterizations. Shelf-basin exchange has critical implications for coastal circulation, ecosystems and ice cover. The advances my research program will bring about in the ability to observe the relevant processes, promise similar advances in our understanding of them. This research promises to be of significant benefit to Canadians by improving climate predictions, providing understanding critical for sustainable development in coastal regions undergoing rapid change, and strengthening Canada's standing at the forefront of oceanographic research.**

海洋环流是在巨大的空间和时间尺度范围内运作的无数过程的产物。这些范围从驱动大规模海流的盆地规模强迫模式，到驱动海洋混合和消散的厘米级湍流。最近研究的一个主要重点是量化全球环流的大规模强迫。然而，混合和耗散的小尺度机制以及将能量从大尺度转移到小尺度的多尺度过程，在控制海洋环流和海洋在气候系统中的作用方面具有同等重要性。对这些过程的了解仍然很少，因此在气候模型中没有得到充分的体现。通过新的观测研究和紧密联系的理论研究，我的研究计划将针对基于过程的理解的能量级联和湍流，最终逮捕它。它将调查尺度相互作用和尺度依赖的混合在理想化，实际和模拟的海洋流动。通过这种方式，它将逐步了解这些过程，制作观察到的行动和影响的全球地图，并评估其在最先进的气候模型中的代表性。除了这些研究，我将建立一个独特的观测计划，目标是湍流耗散和混合率及其潜在的物理机制。重点将放在这些过程在推动大陆架和加拿大沿海深水盆地之间的交换方面的作用。通过最先进的海洋观测技术，特别是配备有连续性传感仪器的自主机器人观测平台，我的计划将实现我们进行必要的多尺度观测能力的一步变化。此外，它还将在偏远地区开展这项工作，其成本仅为传统观测平台的一小部分。尺度相互作用的物理参数化和海洋模式中混合和耗散的准确表示对于提高我们对未来气候变化预测的信心至关重要。通过应用一种新的分析技术来研究这些过程，我的工作有可能提供独特的见解，这些过程是如何工作的，并提出新的想法模型参数化。陆架-海盆交换对沿海环流、生态系统和冰盖具有重要影响。我的研究计划将在观察相关过程的能力方面带来进步，承诺在我们对它们的理解方面取得类似的进步。这项研究有望通过改善气候预测，为经历快速变化的沿海地区的可持续发展提供至关重要的理解，并加强加拿大在海洋学研究前沿的地位，从而使加拿大人受益匪浅。