Submesoscales are a significant turbulence source in global ocean surface boundary layer.

ABSTRACT: The turbulent ocean surface boundary layer is a key part of the climate system affecting both the energy and carbon cycles. Accurately simulating the boundary layer is critical in improving climate model performance, which deeply relies on our understanding of the turbulence in the boundary layer. Turbulent energy sources in the boundary layer are traditionally believed to be dominated by waves, winds and convection. Recently, submesoscale phenomena with spatial scales of 0.1~10 km at ocean fronts have been shown to also make a contribution. Here, by applying a non-dimensional turbulent kinetic energy budget equation, we show that the submesoscale geostrophic shear production at fronts is a significant turbulent energy source within the ocean boundary layer away from the sea surface. The c

SUBMITTER: Dong J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11538263 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature