An Analysis of Eddy Resolving Global Ocean Models in the Southern Ocean

• Main Author: O'Carroll, Rosemarie
• Other Authors: NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1994
• Subjects: Meteorology; Physical and Dynamic Oceanography; *OCEAN CURRENTS; *OCEAN MODELS; *ANTARCTIC REGIONS; HEAT TRANSFER; COMPARISON; RESOLUTION; THESES; TOPOGRAPHY; ERRORS; AIR WATER INTERACTIONS; WATER MASSES; ABYSSAL ZONES; MARINE METEOROLOGY; SURFACE TEMPERATURE; SALINITY; BATHYMETRY; VORTICES; WIND; GRIDS; GLOBAL; *SOUTHERN OCEAN; ACC(ANTARCTIC CIRCUMPOLAR CURRENT); Antarctic; Southern Ocean; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA283211; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA283211

Comparisons between the two model runs, a half degree resolution and a quarter degree resolution of the Semtner-Chervin eddy-resolving global ocean model, and the Hydrographic Atlas of the Southern Ocean observations are conducted by analyzing horizontal and vertical sections. The quarter degree model, employing a Mercator grid, was interpolated forward from the half degree model initialization. For the last three years of the model run time, the resolution was improved to 0.25 deg on average and ECMWF winds were used. Also, no deep restoring in the last three years is introduced into the model. Another difference between the half degree model and the quarter degree model is that in the latter, the bathymetry is unsmoothed, so that not only is the resolution finer, the topography is more realistic. The model is shown to produce very realistic circulation and temperature and salinity distributions. Volume transport and meridional volume and heat transports are also calculated. The quarter degree model shows marked improvement over the half degree model although both models have salinities to the south and near the surface which are higher than those observed. This could be due to errors in surface flux parameterizations.