Simulations of the Atlantic Ocean with a Free Surface Sigma Coordinate Ocean Model
A sigma coordinate, free surface numerical model with turbulence dynamics has been implemented for the Atlantic Ocean and the Greenland Sea, from 80°S to 80°N. It is driven at the surface by monthly mean sea surface temperature and wind stress climatologies and is executed for 30 years. This is the...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | unknown |
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ODU Digital Commons
1997
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/ccpo_pubs/118 https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1133&context=ccpo_pubs |
| Summary: | A sigma coordinate, free surface numerical model with turbulence dynamics has been implemented for the Atlantic Ocean and the Greenland Sea, from 80°S to 80°N. It is driven at the surface by monthly mean sea surface temperature and wind stress climatologies and is executed for 30 years. This is the first time that a model of this type, previously used mostly for coastal and regional simulations, has been implemented for the entire Atlantic Ocean and run for a long period of time. The model horizontal circulation, thermohaline overturning circulation, and meridional heat fluxes are described; the results are compared with observations and the results of other models. The model produces intense deep western boundary currents and complicated gyre structures associated with small-scale topographic variations. The meridional. overturning circulation consists of about 14 Sv (1 Sv = 106 m3 s-1) of southward flowing deep water mass crossing the equator and a northward heat flux with a maximum value of more than 1 PW (1015 W). Although the maximum meridional heat flux is comparable to estimates obtained from observations, the amplitude of the seasonal variations of northward heat flux across 26°N is underestimated in comparison with observations; it is similar to that obtained by other models. |
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