Mixing and Radiation in Tropical Instability Waves

赤道流的线性稳定性理论将扩展到包括波辐射和垂直混合。 将使用平均状态的精确表示法，包括辐射边界条件和垂直混合的参数化，对赤道气流系统进行模态稳定性分析。 扩展的理论和分析将被用来检查Rossby和柳井型热带不稳定波。 理论结果将与来自卫星测高、TAO系泊和微结构剖面的数据相结合。该项目有可能通过改进或改变我们对一个重要海洋特征的理解来影响我们对气候的理解。 该项目将重新审视经典线性理论，以纳入可以解释辐射和能量混合的效应。 虽然许多热带不稳定性研究的重点往往是分析复杂的环流模型，但拟议的工作有望揭示控制赤道洋流稳定性的基本过程及其对海洋结构和动力学的后续影响。 此外，这些结果可能有助于解决长期存在的关于赤道电流稳定性的问题-即它们在哪里获得能量以及它们如何表现。 除了更广泛的科学影响外，该研究还将支持研究生的培训。

Linear stability theory of equatorial currents will be extended to include wave radiation and vertical mixing. Modal stability analyses of the equatorial current system will be performed using accurate representations of the mean state, including radiation boundary conditions and parameterizations of vertical mixing. The extended theory and analyses will be used to examine both Rossby and Yanai type tropical instability waves. Theoretical results will be synthesized with data from satellite altimetry, TAO moorings, and microstructure profiling.The project has the potential to impact our understanding of climate by refining or changing our understanding of an important oceanic feature. The project will revisit classical linear theory to incorporate effects that can account for radiation and mixing of energy. While the focus of many studies of tropical instabilities is often to analyze complex circulation models, the proposed work promises to shed light on the fundamental processes that govern the stability of equatorial currents and their subsequent effects on ocean structure and dynamics. In addition, the results could help to settle long standing questions over the stability of equatorial currents - namely where they obtain their energy and how they manifest. In addition to the scientific broader impacts, the study will support the training of a graduate student.