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改善对海洋中涡旋输送的理解和模型参数化。该项目的目标是根据涡旋沿着等密度线输送位涡的概念，制定和实施一种理论上可支持的中尺度涡旋参数化方法，用于大尺度海洋模型。将采用的方法包括：根据变换欧拉平均方法，在相关背景下发展涡流迁移理论;模拟和分析涡流在日益复杂的海洋模型层次中的作用，并随后确定涡流在大规模环流中的作用;制定和实施参数化方案。在这种形式主义中，涡动输送的平流部分没有参数化，但转换后的环流（包括平流涡动项）是对非平流涡动输送强迫的响应。迄今为止，该方法已应用于相对简单的地带平均流量情况，但在拟议供资期初期将予以扩大，以便在理想和现实模式中纳入三维时间平均流量。更广泛的影响包括改进的涡流参数化方案将对海洋环流及其在气候中的作用的建模做出贡献。沿着这一目标的实现，该项目还将产生其他成果，特别是在海洋涡流传输理论方面的进展，以及对涡流在海洋结构和环流中的作用的更好理解。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。研究结果将以通常的方式进行交流，通过学术期刊和会议，如AGU，并通过在M。I. T.对这个活动，对研究生的培养，此外，至少有一名博士后科学家将在这一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.