Underwater glider observations and modeling of an abrupt mixing event in the upper ocean

Details Underwater glider observations and modeling of an abrupt mixing event in the upper ocean Underwater glider observations and modeling of an abrupt mixing event in the upper ocean

Jan 2012

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2012georl..3901603r&link_type=abstract

Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 39, Issue 1, CiteID L01603

Physics

Oceanography: General: Numerical Modeling (0545, 0560, 1952), Oceanography: General: Ocean Observing Systems, Oceanography: Physical: Air/Sea Interactions (0312, 3339), Oceanography: Physical: Upper Ocean And Mixed Layer Processes

Scientific paper

An abrupt mixing event in the upper ocean is investigated in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea using gliders, a new ocean monitoring technology, combined with regional atmospheric model outputs and mooring data. Intense winds (up to 20 m s-1) and buoyancy forcing during December 2009 induced strong vertical mixing of the upper ocean layer in the Balearic Sea. High-resolution data from a coastal glider reveal a surface cooling of near 2 °C and the deepening of the Mixed Layer Depth (MLD) by more than 40 meters in the center of the basin. Comparisons between glider and ship-emulated sections of hydrographic profiles show that the glider data make visible the small-scale spatial variability of the MLD. The heat content released to the atmosphere by the upper ocean during this mixing event exceeds 1000 W m-2. A simulation from the Weather Research and Forecasting model reports values consistent with these observations. Additionally the atmospheric numerical simulation shows the development and evolution of a cyclone located south of the Balearic Islands. This cyclone is likely to be responsible for the wind intensification and the consequent air-sea energy exchanges that occurred in the study area during this period.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Underwater glider observations and modeling of an abrupt mixing event in the upper ocean does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Underwater glider observations and modeling of an abrupt mixing event in the upper ocean, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Underwater glider observations and modeling of an abrupt mixing event in the upper ocean will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-910427