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On geometrical aspects of interior ocean mixing
Citation
McDougall, TJ and Groeskamp, S and Griffies, SM, On geometrical aspects of interior ocean mixing, Journal of Physical Oceanography, 44, (8) pp. 2164-2175. ISSN 0022-3670 (2014) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright 2014 American Meteorological Society
DOI: doi:10.1175/JPO-D-13-0270.1
Abstract
The small-slope approximation to the full three-dimensional diffusion tensor of epineutral diffusion gives
exactly the same tracer flux as the commonly used projected nonorthogonal diffusive flux of layered ocean
models and of theoretical studies. The epineutral diffusion achieved by this small-slope approximation is
not exactly in the direction of the correct epineutral tracer gradient. That is, the use of the small-slope approximation
leads to a very small flux of tracer in a direction in which there is no epineutral gradient of tracer.
For (the tracer) temperature or salinity, the difference between the correct epineutral gradient and the smallslope
approximation to it is proportional to neutral helicity. The authors also make the point that small-scale
turbulent mixing processes act to diffuse tracers isotropically (i.e., the same in each spatial direction) and
hence it is strictly a misnomer to call this process ‘‘dianeutral diffusion’’ or ‘‘vertical diffusion.’’ This realization
also has implications for the diffusion tensor.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | models and modeling, grid systems, isopycnal coordinates, parameterization, subgrid-scale processes |
Research Division: | Physical Sciences |
Research Group: | Other physical sciences |
Research Field: | Other physical sciences not elsewhere classified |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Marine systems and management |
Objective Field: | Measurement and assessment of marine water quality and condition |
UTAS Author: | Groeskamp, S (Mr Sjoerd Groeskamp) |
ID Code: | 96115 |
Year Published: | 2014 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 24 |
Deposited By: | IMAS Research and Education Centre |
Deposited On: | 2014-10-20 |
Last Modified: | 2015-04-01 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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