Upper Ocean Processes under the Stratocumulus Cloud Deck in the Southeast Pacific

将利用海洋大气环流模式(OGCM)试验研究东南太平洋上层海洋的热量收支。主要目的是加深对控制层积云甲板区海面温度变率的上层海洋过程的理解，这可能在海洋边界层云的形成和维持中发挥重要作用。在最近的野外观测中收集的数据将被用来创建地面强迫场，以积分OGCM并验证模式的性能。将创建网格化的地表通量数据集，以迫使OGCM基于各种最近的卫星测量。然后，将把估计的通量与现场观测得出的结果进行比较，这些观测包括来自IMET浮标在南纬20度、西经85度的地面气象数据，以及2001年秋季在层积层甲板区域进行的密集现场测量。此外，还将根据与上层海洋和卫星观测的现场数据的比较来评估OGCM的性能。将根据模式输出计算上层海洋热收支的平均和变率，并检查负责平衡表面热通量的物理过程。特别强调了Rossby波、大气亚季节变率和穿透性太阳辐射在上层海洋热平衡的季节到年际变化中的作用。对整个层积甲板区域的模式输出的分析还将阐明该区域的大尺度上层海洋变率如何通过在特定点的系泊观测来准确地反映出来。更广泛的影响：在全球气候模式中正确地表示层积甲板区域的海气耦合过程是进一步改进它们的主要挑战之一。拟议的研究将改善对这些过程的理解和建模，导致更好的气候模拟和相关的社会效益。该项目还将资助一名参与跨学科研究的博士后科学家。

ABSTRACTOCE-0453046The heat budget of the upper ocean in the southeast Pacific will be studied using ocean general circulation model (OGCM) experiments The primary goal is to improve the understanding of upper ocean processes that control sea surface temperature variability in the stratocumulus cloud deck region, which may play an important role in formation and maintenance of marine boundary layer clouds. The data collected during recent field observations will be utilized to create surface forcing fields to integrate the OGCM and to validate the model performance. Gridded surface flux data sets will be created to force the OGCM based on a variety of recent satellite measurements. The flux estimates will then be compared with those derived from in-situ observations including the surface meteorological data from the IMET buoy at 20.S, 85.W and the intensive field measurements in the stratocumulus deck region conducted during the fall of 2001. Also, the performance of the OGCM will be evaluated based on the comparison with in-situ data of the upper ocean and satellite observations. Mean and variability of upper ocean heat budget will be calculated from the model output, and physical processes responsible for balancing surface heat fluxes will be examined. A particular emphasis is given to the role of Rossby waves, atmospheric subseasonal variability, and penetrative solar radiation in seasonal to interannual variations of upper ocean heat balance. The analysis of the model output in the entire stratocumulus deck region will also elucidate how accurately large-scale upper ocean variability in this region is represented by mooring observations at a particular point.Broader impacts:Proper representation of air-sea coupled processes in the stratocumulus deck region in global climate models is one of the major challenges for their further improvement. The proposed research will improve understanding and modeling of these processes, leading to better climate simulations and associated societal benefits. The project will also fund a postdoctoral scientist for participating in interdisciplinary research.