Mixing, dissipation and scale interactions in the oceanic circulation from an integrated theoretical and observational perspective

海洋环流是在巨大的空间和时间尺度上运作的无数过程的产物。从驱动大尺度洋流的盆地尺度强迫模式，到驱动海洋混合和消散的厘米尺度湍流。最近研究的一个主要焦点是量化全球环流的大规模强迫。然而，混合和耗散的小尺度机制，以及负责能量从大尺度向小尺度转移的多尺度过程，在控制海洋环流和海洋在气候系统中的作用方面同样重要。对这些过程的了解仍然很少，因此在气候模式中没有得到充分的体现。***通过新颖的观察研究和紧密联系的理论调查，我的研究计划将针对基于过程的能量级联和湍流的理解，最终阻止它。它将研究理想、实际和模拟海洋流动中的尺度相互作用和依赖于尺度的混合。通过这种方式，它将逐步建立对这些过程的理解，绘制其观测到的行动和影响的全球地图，并评估它们在最先进的气候模型中的代表性。除了这些研究之外，我将建立一个独特的观测项目，目标是湍流耗散和混合率及其潜在的物理机制。重点将放在这些过程在推动大陆架和加拿大沿海深层盆地之间的交换中所起的作用。借助最先进的海洋观测技术，特别是配备了湍流传感仪器的自主机器人观测平台，我的项目将实现我们进行必要的多尺度观测的能力的逐步改变。此外，它将以传统观测平台的一小部分成本在偏远地区进行观测。尺度相互作用的基于物理的参数化以及海洋模式中混合和耗散的精确表示对于提高我们对未来气候变化预估的信心至关重要。通过将一种新颖的分析技术应用于这些过程的研究，我的工作有可能为这些过程如何工作提供独特的见解，并为模型参数化提出新的想法。陆架-盆地交换对沿海环流、生态系统和冰盖具有重要影响。我的研究项目所带来的进步将使我们能够观察到相关的过程，我们对它们的理解也会有类似的进步。这项研究有望通过改善气候预测，为快速变化的沿海地区的可持续发展提供关键的理解，并加强加拿大在海洋学研究领域的前沿地位，为加拿大人带来重大利益

Ocean circulation is the product of a myriad of processes operating at an enormous range of space and time scales. These range from basin-scale forcing patterns that drive the large-scale currents, to centimetre-scale turbulence that drives ocean mixing and dissipation. A major focus of recent research has been to quantify the large-scale forcing of the global circulation. However, the small-scale mechanisms of mixing and dissipation, as well as the multi-scale processes responsible for the transfer of energy from large to small scales, are of equal importance in governing ocean circulation and the ocean's role in the climate system. These processes remain poorly understood and, as a consequence, inadequately represented in climate models.***Through novel observational studies and closely-tied theoretical investigations, my research program will target a process-based understanding of the energy cascade and the turbulence that ultimately arrests it. It will investigate scale-interactions and scale-dependent mixing in idealised, actual and modelled oceanic flows. In this way, it will build an understanding of these processes step-by-step, produce global maps of their observed action and impact, and evaluate their representation in state-of-the-art climate models. Alongside these studies, I will build a unique observational program targeting turbulent dissipation and mixing rates and their underlying physical mechanisms. The focus will be on the role of these processes in driving exchange between the continental shelves and the deep basins off Canada's coasts. Enabled by state-of-the-art ocean observing technology, specifically an autonomous robotic observing platform equipped with turbulence-sensing instrumentation, my program will realise a step change in our ability to make the necessary multi-scale observations. Further it will do so in remote locations at a fraction of the cost of traditional observing platforms.***Physically-based parameterizations of scale interactions and the accurate representation of mixing and dissipation in ocean models are critical to improving confidence in our projections of future climate change. By applying a novel analysis technique to the study of these processes, my work has the potential to provide unique insight into how these processes work and suggest new ideas for model parameterizations. Shelf-basin exchange has critical implications for coastal circulation, ecosystems and ice cover. The advances my research program will bring about in the ability to observe the relevant processes, promise similar advances in our understanding of them. This research promises to be of significant benefit to Canadians by improving climate predictions, providing understanding critical for sustainable development in coastal regions undergoing rapid change, and strengthening Canada's standing at the forefront of oceanographic research.**