CSE Community Seminar | November 15, 2024

Abstract

The oceanic mixed layer is characterized by multiscale interactions ranging from the kilometer-scale turbulence typical of geostrophic turbulence down to micro-scale turbulence generated by shear and convection. However, due to the large-scale separation of these phenomena, understanding energy transfers among oceanic mesoscale processes down to microscopic turbulence remains a significant challenge. We present large-eddy simulations that resolve multiscale interactions within the oceanic mixed layer, encompassing boundary layer turbulence, submesoscale, and mesoscale processes. We compare hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic models featuring strong convergence zones, distinct warm and cold temperature fronts, and surface forcing. We analyze the spatial and spectral properties of temperature, velocity, and vorticity fields, and decompose these fields to investigate multiscale momentum and buoyancy fluxes. These insights aim to enhance parameterizations for multiscale dynamics in large-scale ocean models, contributing to more accurate predictions of ocean behavior and energy distribution under climate change.