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

光谱通量是测量级联强度和方向的基本量，它在海洋中不同长度（和时间）尺度之间重新分配能量。这超越了测量，例如，光谱，它只显示每个尺度上的能量。简而言之，光谱通量解释了光谱。虽然20多年前在大气中测量了光谱能量通量，但在卫星测高技术发展之前，海洋中的光谱能量通量是无法测量的。2005年，两位研究人员（Scott和Wang）研究了南太平洋在5秒到60秒之间的光谱能量通量。初步研究的结果得出了光谱通量的普遍形状，这与大气的情况惊人地相似，但无法确定通量在不同的海洋盆地中是否具有普遍的性质。在这项研究中，来自德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校（Scott）的一名研究人员将把南太平洋的试点研究测量扩展到世界海洋光谱动能通量的全球研究。为了帮助解释阻止高层梯级的过程，试点研究的技术将被扩展到在纬向和经向分别测量能量梯级。为了解释前向叶栅的命运，同样的技术将被扩展到测量从低频到高频的动能通量。但是，由于高度计只直接测量上层海洋的光谱通量，因此必须对地表信号的深度积分进行解释。由于有人认为高度计数据在很大程度上反映了第一斜压模态，因此该假设提供了一种深度积分光谱通量的方法。为了验证这一理论，研究人员将使用两种互补的方法。首先，将对三个海洋环流模拟研究的模拟数据进行检验。采用这种技术之后，将对输入地表地转流的风力与根据测高估计的动能通量散度进行比较。目标是量化世界海洋中的动能级联，旨在进一步了解机械能收支和耗散途径。更广泛的影响：这一信息将有助于了解驱动海洋中河床混合的能量、其来源和空间分布。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式中加以参数化，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持。

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.