Modeling Ocean Mixed Layer Flow Under Multiple Lead Fields in Sea Ice

• Main Author: Smith, David
• Other Authors: ARIZONA STATE UNIV TEMPE DEPT OF MECHANICAL AND AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1998
• Subjects: Atmospheric Physics; Physical and Dynamic Oceanography; Snow; Ice and Permafrost; Fluid Mechanics; Mechanics; *AIR WATER INTERACTIONS; *SEA ICE; *MIXED LAYER(MARINE); *CRACKS; *FLOW; NUMERICAL METHODS AND PROCEDURES; HIGH LATITUDES; OCEAN MODELS; CIRCULATION; BUOYANCY; MIXING; CLIMATE; FLUX(RATE); ARCTIC OCEAN; SIMULATION; THERMODYNAMICS; OCEAN MIXED LAYER FLOW; LEAD FIELDS; THERMODYNAMIC COUPLING; CLIMATE CHANGE; SMAGORINSKY MIXING; Arctic; Arctic Ocean; Climate change; Ice; permafrost; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA534826; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA534826

A major goal of my current high latitude oceanographic research is to improve understanding of thermodynamic coupling of the atmosphere and ocean when sea ice is present. Improved understanding of the physical processes will ultimately lead to improved parameterization of small scale processes in larger scale general circulation models and thus to a better assessment of the role of the Arctic Ocean in climate change. Leads are small scale cracks in sea ice where important buoyancy flux processes occur between the Arctic atmosphere and ocean. They represent a small percentage of overall ice extent and are subgrid scale phenomena for Arctic general circulation models. Because of their subgrid scale nature, the impact of these important air sea fluxes must be parameterized in the larger models. The goal of this research is to develop a better understanding of Arctic Ocean mixed layer modification by buoyancy flux from multiple leads in sea ice. See also ADM002252. The original document contains color images.