Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Parameterization of the depth of the upper quasi-homogeneous layer based on measurements in the North Atlantic (Section along 53° N)

  • Marine Physics
  • Published:
Oceanology Aims and scope

Abstract

The dependence of the variation in the depth of the upper mixed layer (MLD) on the governing parameters (the momentum flux, the buoyancy fluxes at the ocean surface, and the density gradient in the pycnocline) is considered. It is shown that, in the spring storm season, wind mixing dominates over convective mixing. In this case, the MLD is linearly correlated with the Ekman scale calculated from the friction velocity observed approximately 12 h before the measurement of the MLD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. V. I. Kalatskii, Modeling Vertical Thermal Structure of the Active Ocean Layer (Gidrometeoizdat, Leningrad, 1978) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  2. A. A. Kuznetsov, Upper Quasihomogeneous Layer of the North Atlantic (IOAN-VNIIGMI-MTsD, Obninsk, 1982) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  3. I. D. Lozovatskii, S. M. Shapovalov, and E. Ruzhe, “Ageostrophic Dynamics of the Upper Layer of the Ocean: Measurements over Transatlantic Section along 53° N,” Okeanologiya 46(1), 5–13 (2006) [Oceanology 46, (1), 5–13 (2006)].

    Google Scholar 

  4. V. P. Tereshchenkov, S. M. Shapovalov, S. A. Dobrolyubov, and E. G. Morozov, “Cruise 9 of R/V Akademik Ioffe,” Okeanologiya 42(2), 315–318 (2002) [Oceanology 42 (2), 298–301 (2002)].

    Google Scholar 

  5. B. N. Filyushkin, “Thermal Characteristics of the Upper Water Layer in the Northern Part of the Pacific Ocean,” Okeanologicheskie Issledovaniya (Mezhduved. Geofiz. Komitet AN SSSR), No. 19, 22–69 (1968).

  6. B. N. Filyushkin, N. A. Dianskii, and S. N. Moshonkin, “Determination of the Lower Boundary of the Upper Mixed Layer of the Ocean,” Okeanologiya 36(1), 133–137 (1996) [Oceanology 36 (1), 122–126 (1996)].

    Google Scholar 

  7. K. H. Bathen, “On the Seasonal Changes in the Depth of the Mixed Layer in the North Pacific Ocean,” J. Geophys. Res. 77, 7138–7150 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  8. K. E. Brainerd and M. C. Gregg, “Surface Mixed and Mixing Layer Depths,” Deep-Sea Res. 42(9), 1521–1544 (1995).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. R. X. Huang and S. Russell, “Ventilation of the Subtropical North Pacific,” J. Phys. Oceanogr. 24(12), 2589–2605 (1994).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. A. B. Kara, P. A. Rochford, and H. E. Hurlburt, “An Optimal Definition for Ocean Mixed Layer Depth,” J. Geophys. Res. 105, 16803–16821 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. K. A. Kelly and B. Qiu, “Heat Flux Estimates for the Western North Atlantic, I, Assimilation of Satellite Data Into a Mixed Layer Model,” J. Phys. Oceanogr. 25(10), 2344–2360 (1995).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. P. J. Lamb, “On the Mixed Layer Climatology of the North and Tropical Atlantic,” Tellus Ser. A 36, 295–305 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  13. S. J. Lentz, “The Surface Boundary Layer in Coastal Upwelling Regions,” J. Phys. Oceanogr. 22(12), 1517–1539 (1992).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. S. Levitus, Climatological Atlas of the World Ocean, (NOAA Prof. Pap., Vol. 13, U.S. Govt. Print. Off., Washington, DC, 1982).

    Google Scholar 

  15. M. R. Lewis, M. Carr, G. Feldman, et al., “Influence of Penetrating Solar Radiation on the Heat Budget of the Equatorial Pacific Ocean,” Nature 347(6293), 543–544 (1990).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. C. P. Lombardo and M. C. Gregg, “Similarity Scaling of Viscous and Thermal Dissipation in a Convecting Surface Boundary Layer,” J. Geophys. Res. 94, 6273–6284 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  17. I. D. Lozovatsky, A. L. Berestov, and A. S. Ksenofontov, “Phillips Theory of Turbulence-Generated Fine Structure: Numerical and Stochastic Modelin,” in Abstracts of John Hopkins Conference in Environmental Fluid Mechanics, Baltimore MD, 1998), pp. 102–103.

  18. R. Lukas and E. Lindstrom, “The Mixed Layer of the Western Equatorial Pacific,” J. Geophys. Res. 96(Suppl. S), 3343–3357 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  19. P. J. Martin, “Simulation of Mixed Layer at OWS November and Papa with Several Models,” J. Geophys. Res. 90(C1), 903–916 (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  20. J. R. Miller, “The Salinity Effect in a Mixed Layer Ocean Model,” J. Phys. Oceanogr. 6(1), 29–35 (1976).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. G. Monterey and S. Levitus, Seasonal Variability of Mixed Layer Depth for the World Ocean (NOAA Atlas NES-DIS, Vol. 14, U.S. Govt. Print. Off., Washington, DC, 1997).

    Google Scholar 

  22. P. P. Niiler and E. B. Kraus, Modeling and Prediction of the Upper Layers of the Ocean, Ed. by E. B. Kraus (Pergamon, New York, 1977), pp. 143–172.

    Google Scholar 

  23. A. Obata, J. Ishazaka, and M. Endoh, “Global Verification of Critical Depth Theory for Phytoplankton Bloom with Climatological in situ Temperature and Satellite Ocean Color Data,” J. Geophys. Res. 101, 20657–20667 (1996).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. L. Padman and T. M. Dillon, “Turbulent Mixing Near the Yermak Plateau during the Coordinate Eastern Arctic Experiment,” J. Geophys. Res. 96, 4769–4782 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  25. H. Peters, M. C. Gregg, and J. M. Tool, “Meridional Variability of Turbulence Through the Equatorial Undercurrent,” J. Geophys. Res. 94, 18003–18009 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  26. R. T. Pollard, P. B. Rhines, and O. R. Y. Thompson, “The Deepening of the Wind-Mixed Layer,” Geophys. Fluid Dynamics 3(4), 381–404 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  27. J. E. Price, R. A. Weller, and R. Pinkel, “Diurnal Cycling: Observations and Models on the Upper Ocean Response to Diurnal Heating, Cooling, and Wind Mixing,” J. Geophys. Res. 91, 8411–8427 (1986).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. P. Qu, “Mixed Layer Heat Balance in the Western North Pacific,” J. Geophys. Res. 108(3242), 35-1–35-13 (2003) [doi:10.1029/2002JC0015326].

    Google Scholar 

  29. K. J. Richards, M. E. Inall, and N. C. Wells, “The Diurnal Mixed Layer and Upper-Ocean Heat Budget in the Western Equatorial Pacific,” J. Geophys. Res. 100(C4), 6865–6879 (1995).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. N. Schneider and P. Muller, “The Meridional and Seasonal Structures of the Mixed-Layer Depth and Its Diurnal Amplitude Observed During the Hawaii-to-Tahiti Shuttle Experiment,” J. Phys. Oceanogr. 20(9), 1395–1404 (1990).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. M. A. Spall, “A Diagnostic Study of the Wind-and Buoyancy-Driven North Atlantic Circulation,” J. Geophys. Res. 96(C10), 18509–18518 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  32. R. Thomspon, “Climatological Numerical Models of the Surface Mixed Layer of the Ocean,” J. Phys. Oceanogr. 6(4), 496–503 (1976).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. R. G. Wagner, “Decadal Scale Trends in Mechanisms Controlling Meridional Sea Surface Temperature Gradients in the Tropical Atlantic,” J. Geophys. Res. 101(C7) 16683–16694 (1996).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. G. L. Weatherly and P. L. Martin, “On the Structure and Dynamics of Oceanic Bottom Boundary-Layer,” J. Phys. Oceanogr. 8(4), 557–570 (1978).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. S. S. Zilitinkevich and I. N. Esau, “On Integral Measures of the Neutral Barotropic Planetary Boundary Layer,” Boundary Layer Meteorol. 104(3), 371–379 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

    I. D. Lozovatsky & S. M. Shapovalov

Authors
  1. I. D. Lozovatsky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. M. Shapovalov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Original Russian Text © I.D. Lozovatsky, S.M. Shapovalov, 2006, published in Okeanologiya, 2006, Vol. 46, No. 3, pp. 325–330.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lozovatsky, I.D., Shapovalov, S.M. Parameterization of the depth of the upper quasi-homogeneous layer based on measurements in the North Atlantic (Section along 53° N). Oceanology 46, 299–304 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0001437006030015

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0001437006030015

Keywords

Search

Navigation