SGER: Measurements of the Velocity Field Associated with Interleaving

智力优势：该项目旨在评估一种新技术，该技术可在小的垂直尺度上测量海洋中的水平速度场，垂直分辨率为2米。人们越来越认识到，海洋中的小尺度可以对海洋中更大尺度的动态和通量产生深远的影响。这些尺度在大气环流模式中的分辨率往往很差，其影响也没有得到很好的理解。本研究将考察赤道太平洋交错区的这些尺度，以解决两个主要问题：交错的形成机制是什么，以及与之相关的速度场是什么。为了在高垂直分辨率下测量这些速度场，来自舰载ADCP的数据将与来自降低的ADCP的数据混合。有一些技术问题涉及垂直方向的匹配测量，以及必须用实地数据解决的分辨率问题。该项目是探索性的，因为它的目的是测试一种有前途的、新的工具，以测量高垂直分辨率的水平速度场。此外，它的时机对于利用即将到来的赤道太平洋邮轮至关重要。更广泛的影响：将为此开发的软件将随时提供给社区。这项技术如果成功，将允许使用容易获得和相当容易使用的设备，彻底检查与中纬度锋面和亚中尺度特征等现象有关的小垂直尺度速度。预计这样的测量将导致对海洋中尚未探索的特征的检查。该提案包括在海上培训一名博士后，并使用数据。

Intellectual Merit: This project is directed at evaluating a novel technique for measuring the horizontal velocity field in the ocean at small vertical scales with a vertical resolution of order 2 meters. There is a growing appreciation that small scales in the ocean can have a profound effect on the larger scale dynamics and fluxes in the ocean. These scales are often poorly resolved in general circulation models and their impacts are not well understood. The present study will examine these scales in the interleaving region of the equatorial Pacific in order to address two major questions: what is the formation mechanism of the interleaving, and what is the velocity field associated with it. In order to measure these velocity fields at high vertical resolution, data from a shipboard ADCP will be blended with data from a lowered ADCP. There are technical questions regarding matching measurements in the vertical as well as resolution questions that must be addressed with data from the field. The project is exploratory because it is aimed at testing a promising, novel tool for measuring the horizontal velocity field at high vertical resolution. In addition, its timing is critical to take advantage of an impending cruise to the Equatorial Pacific. Broader Impacts:The software that will be developed for this will be made readily available to the community. This technique, if successful, will allow a thorough examination of small vertical scale velocities associated with phenomena such as mid-latitude fronts and sub-mesoscale features using equipment that is readily available and reasonably easy to use. It is expected that measurements such as these will lead to the examination of, as yet, unexplored features in the ocean. The proposal includes the training of a postdoc at sea and with the data.