Modeling pCO sub 2 in the upper ocean
This report summarizes our current understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological processes that control the natural cycling of carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) in the surface ocean. Because the physics of mixing at the ocean surface creates the essential framework for the chemistry and biology,...
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| Format: | Report |
| Language: | English |
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Washington Univ., Seattle, WA (USA). School of Oceanography
1990
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.2172/6446788 https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1208141/ |
| Summary: | This report summarizes our current understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological processes that control the natural cycling of carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) in the surface ocean. Because the physics of mixing at the ocean surface creates the essential framework for the chemistry and biology, and because the literature on surface ocean mixing is extensive, a major focus of the report is to review existing mixed layer models for the upper ocean and their implementation in global ocean circulation models. Three families of mixed layer models have been developed. The integrated turbulent kinetic energy'' (TKE) models construct a budget for surface ocean TKE, using the wind stress as source and dissipation as sink for TKE. The shear instability'' models maintain profiles of current velocity resulting from the wind stress. Turbulence closure'' models are the most general and the most complicated of the three types, and are based on laboratory studies of fluid turbulence. This paper explores behavioral distinctions between the three types of models, and summarizes previously published comparisons of the generality, accuracy, and computational requirements of the three models. The application of mixed layer models to treatment of sea ice is also reviewed. 101 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab. |
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