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- Author or Editor: Antoine Hochet x
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Abstract
have proposed a new theoretical framework for studying ocean heat uptake in potential temperature coordinates. One important step in their derivations requires understanding the temporal changes of the volume of water V with temperature greater than some value, which they write as the sum of two terms. The first one is due to the surface freshwater fluxes and is well defined, but the second one—attributed to the volume fluxes through the lower boundary of the domain—is given no explicit expression. What the authors mean exactly is unclear, however, because in the incompressible Boussinesq approximation, the use of a divergenceless velocity field implies that the sum of the volume fluxes through any kind of control volume must integrate to zero at all times. In this comment, we provide two alternative explicit mathematical expressions linking the volume change of to the diabatic sources and sinks of heat that clarify their result. By contrasting approach with that for a fully compressible ocean, it is concluded that the volume considered by is best interpreted as a proxy for the Boussinesq mass M 0 = ρ 0 V, where ρ 0 is the reference Boussinesq density. If V were truly meant to represent volume rather than a proxy for the Boussinesq mass, the Boussinesq expression for dV/dt would have to be regarded as inaccurate because of its neglect of the volume changes resulting from mean density changes.
Abstract
have proposed a new theoretical framework for studying ocean heat uptake in potential temperature coordinates. One important step in their derivations requires understanding the temporal changes of the volume of water V with temperature greater than some value, which they write as the sum of two terms. The first one is due to the surface freshwater fluxes and is well defined, but the second one—attributed to the volume fluxes through the lower boundary of the domain—is given no explicit expression. What the authors mean exactly is unclear, however, because in the incompressible Boussinesq approximation, the use of a divergenceless velocity field implies that the sum of the volume fluxes through any kind of control volume must integrate to zero at all times. In this comment, we provide two alternative explicit mathematical expressions linking the volume change of to the diabatic sources and sinks of heat that clarify their result. By contrasting approach with that for a fully compressible ocean, it is concluded that the volume considered by is best interpreted as a proxy for the Boussinesq mass M 0 = ρ 0 V, where ρ 0 is the reference Boussinesq density. If V were truly meant to represent volume rather than a proxy for the Boussinesq mass, the Boussinesq expression for dV/dt would have to be regarded as inaccurate because of its neglect of the volume changes resulting from mean density changes.
Abstract
Large-scale baroclinic instability is investigated as a potential source of Rossby waves and large-scale variability in the ocean. This baroclinic instability is first reviewed in a 2.5-layer model. As already noticed by several authors, the instability arises in westward surface mean flow when the phase velocities of the two vertical modes are made equal by mean flow influence. This large-scale instability is stronger at low latitudes and thus is likely to happen in the westward return flow of the subtropical gyres. Further investigations with a continuous stratification quasigeostrophic model show that the instability is stronger where the mean flow projects negatively on the second baroclinic mode (imposing positive vertical modes at the surface). The linear stability calculation is then performed on Argo-derived mean flow along with mean stratification data. The results show that the unstable regions are situated at low latitudes in every oceanic basin, in western boundary currents, and in some part of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. The location of these unstable regions is well correlated with the region of negative projection of the mean flow on the second baroclinic mode. Given that the unstable mode growth times are generally smaller than 6 months at low latitudes, these unstable modes are likely to be observable in satellite altimetry. Therefore, results of the present article suggest that the large-scale instability is indeed a source of large-scale variability at low latitudes.
Abstract
Large-scale baroclinic instability is investigated as a potential source of Rossby waves and large-scale variability in the ocean. This baroclinic instability is first reviewed in a 2.5-layer model. As already noticed by several authors, the instability arises in westward surface mean flow when the phase velocities of the two vertical modes are made equal by mean flow influence. This large-scale instability is stronger at low latitudes and thus is likely to happen in the westward return flow of the subtropical gyres. Further investigations with a continuous stratification quasigeostrophic model show that the instability is stronger where the mean flow projects negatively on the second baroclinic mode (imposing positive vertical modes at the surface). The linear stability calculation is then performed on Argo-derived mean flow along with mean stratification data. The results show that the unstable regions are situated at low latitudes in every oceanic basin, in western boundary currents, and in some part of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. The location of these unstable regions is well correlated with the region of negative projection of the mean flow on the second baroclinic mode. Given that the unstable mode growth times are generally smaller than 6 months at low latitudes, these unstable modes are likely to be observable in satellite altimetry. Therefore, results of the present article suggest that the large-scale instability is indeed a source of large-scale variability at low latitudes.
Abstract
A linear model based on the quasigeostrophic equations is constructed in order to predict the vertical structure of Rossby waves and, more broadly, of anomalies resolved by altimeter data, roughly with periods longer than 20 days and with wavelengths larger than 100 km. The subsurface field is reconstructed from sea surface height and climatological stratification. The solution is calculated in periodic rectangular regions with a 3D discrete Fourier transform. The effect of the mean flow on Rossby waves is neglected, which the authors believe is a reasonable approximation for low latitudes. The method used has been tested with an idealized double-gyre simulation [performed with the Miami Isopycnal Coordinate Ocean Model (MICOM)]. The linear model is able to give reasonable predictions of subsurface currents at low latitudes (below approximately 30°) and for relatively weak mean flow. However, the predictions degrade with stronger mean flows and higher latitudes. The subsurface velocities calculated with this model using AVISO altimetric data and velocities from current meters have also been compared. Results show that the model gives reasonably accurate results away from the top and bottom boundaries, side boundaries, and far from western boundary currents. This study found, for the regions where the model is valid, an energy partition of the traditional modes of approximately 68% in the barotropic mode and 25% in the first baroclinic mode. Only 20% of the observed kinetic energy can be attributed to free Rossby waves of long periods that propagate energy to the west.
Abstract
A linear model based on the quasigeostrophic equations is constructed in order to predict the vertical structure of Rossby waves and, more broadly, of anomalies resolved by altimeter data, roughly with periods longer than 20 days and with wavelengths larger than 100 km. The subsurface field is reconstructed from sea surface height and climatological stratification. The solution is calculated in periodic rectangular regions with a 3D discrete Fourier transform. The effect of the mean flow on Rossby waves is neglected, which the authors believe is a reasonable approximation for low latitudes. The method used has been tested with an idealized double-gyre simulation [performed with the Miami Isopycnal Coordinate Ocean Model (MICOM)]. The linear model is able to give reasonable predictions of subsurface currents at low latitudes (below approximately 30°) and for relatively weak mean flow. However, the predictions degrade with stronger mean flows and higher latitudes. The subsurface velocities calculated with this model using AVISO altimetric data and velocities from current meters have also been compared. Results show that the model gives reasonably accurate results away from the top and bottom boundaries, side boundaries, and far from western boundary currents. This study found, for the regions where the model is valid, an energy partition of the traditional modes of approximately 68% in the barotropic mode and 25% in the first baroclinic mode. Only 20% of the observed kinetic energy can be attributed to free Rossby waves of long periods that propagate energy to the west.
Abstract
Identifying the primary drivers of North Atlantic interdecadal climate variability is crucial for improving climatic prediction over the coming decades. Here the effect of thermal coupling on the leading energy sources of the interdecadal variability of the ocean–atmosphere system is examined by means of a stochastically forced idealized coupled model. The effect of coupling is quantified from a comparison of the buoyancy variance budget of coupled and uncoupled model configurations. The simplicity of the model allows us to contrast the effect of coupling between a supercritical regime where the deterministic ocean dynamics drive the variability and a damped regime where noise forcing is central to its existence. The results show that changes in surface buoyancy fluxes act as a sink of temperature variance in the supercritical regime, and only become a source in the strongly damped regime. By contrast, internal ocean dynamics associated with the interaction of transient buoyancy fluxes with mean buoyancy gradients always act as a source of interdecadal variability. In addition to the reduced thermal damping effect in coupled integrations, thermal coupling with the atmosphere is shown to significantly increase the role of internal ocean dynamics in the variability, particularly in the regime where interdecadal modes are damped. Only for oceanic background states in the strongly damped regime do changes in surface buoyancy fluxes play a leading role in the upper-ocean variability. A stochastically forced coupled box model is proposed that captures the basic effect of thermal coupling on atmospheric and oceanic energy sources of variability.
Significance Statement
The purpose of this study is to better understand the impact of ocean–atmosphere thermal coupling on the leading energy sources of Atlantic interdecadal variability. Increasing our understanding of the physical mechanisms driving climate variability at interdecadal time scales is important to improve climate prediction. We show that the effect of ocean–atmosphere thermal coupling, as measured by the atmospheric feedback on sea surface temperature anomalies, is to substantially increase the role of internal ocean dynamics in the low-frequency variability of the upper-ocean heat content and sea surface temperature. Atmospheric stochastic forcing only becomes the primary driver of the oceanic temperature variability in the large dissipative limit, when internal ocean modes are strongly damped.
Abstract
Identifying the primary drivers of North Atlantic interdecadal climate variability is crucial for improving climatic prediction over the coming decades. Here the effect of thermal coupling on the leading energy sources of the interdecadal variability of the ocean–atmosphere system is examined by means of a stochastically forced idealized coupled model. The effect of coupling is quantified from a comparison of the buoyancy variance budget of coupled and uncoupled model configurations. The simplicity of the model allows us to contrast the effect of coupling between a supercritical regime where the deterministic ocean dynamics drive the variability and a damped regime where noise forcing is central to its existence. The results show that changes in surface buoyancy fluxes act as a sink of temperature variance in the supercritical regime, and only become a source in the strongly damped regime. By contrast, internal ocean dynamics associated with the interaction of transient buoyancy fluxes with mean buoyancy gradients always act as a source of interdecadal variability. In addition to the reduced thermal damping effect in coupled integrations, thermal coupling with the atmosphere is shown to significantly increase the role of internal ocean dynamics in the variability, particularly in the regime where interdecadal modes are damped. Only for oceanic background states in the strongly damped regime do changes in surface buoyancy fluxes play a leading role in the upper-ocean variability. A stochastically forced coupled box model is proposed that captures the basic effect of thermal coupling on atmospheric and oceanic energy sources of variability.
Significance Statement
The purpose of this study is to better understand the impact of ocean–atmosphere thermal coupling on the leading energy sources of Atlantic interdecadal variability. Increasing our understanding of the physical mechanisms driving climate variability at interdecadal time scales is important to improve climate prediction. We show that the effect of ocean–atmosphere thermal coupling, as measured by the atmospheric feedback on sea surface temperature anomalies, is to substantially increase the role of internal ocean dynamics in the low-frequency variability of the upper-ocean heat content and sea surface temperature. Atmospheric stochastic forcing only becomes the primary driver of the oceanic temperature variability in the large dissipative limit, when internal ocean modes are strongly damped.
Abstract
The North Atlantic is characterized by basin-scale multidecadal fluctuations of the sea surface temperature with periods ranging from 20 to 70 years. One candidate for such a variability is a large-scale baroclinic instability of the temperature gradients across the Atlantic associated with the North Atlantic Current. Because of the long time scales involved, most of the studies devoted to this problem are based on low-resolution numerical models leaving aside the effect of explicit mesoscale eddies. How high-frequency motions associated with the mesoscale eddy field affect the basin-scale low-frequency variability is the central question of this study. This issue is addressed using an idealized configuration of an ocean general circulation model at eddy-permitting resolution (20 km). A new diagnostic allowing the calculation of nonlinear fluxes of temperature variance in frequency space is presented. Using this diagnostic, we show that the primary effect of mesoscale eddies is to damp low-frequency temperature variance and to transfer it to high frequencies.
Abstract
The North Atlantic is characterized by basin-scale multidecadal fluctuations of the sea surface temperature with periods ranging from 20 to 70 years. One candidate for such a variability is a large-scale baroclinic instability of the temperature gradients across the Atlantic associated with the North Atlantic Current. Because of the long time scales involved, most of the studies devoted to this problem are based on low-resolution numerical models leaving aside the effect of explicit mesoscale eddies. How high-frequency motions associated with the mesoscale eddy field affect the basin-scale low-frequency variability is the central question of this study. This issue is addressed using an idealized configuration of an ocean general circulation model at eddy-permitting resolution (20 km). A new diagnostic allowing the calculation of nonlinear fluxes of temperature variance in frequency space is presented. Using this diagnostic, we show that the primary effect of mesoscale eddies is to damp low-frequency temperature variance and to transfer it to high frequencies.
Abstract
One of the proposed mechanisms to explain the multidecadal variability observed in sea surface temperature of the North Atlantic Ocean consists of a large-scale low-frequency internal mode spontaneously developing because of the large-scale baroclinic instability of the time-mean circulation. Even though this mode has been extensively studied in terms of the buoyancy variance budget, its energetic properties remain poorly known. Here we perform the full mechanical energy budget including available potential energy (APE) and kinetic energy (KE) of this internal mode and decompose the budget into three frequency bands: mean, low frequency (LF) associated with the large-scale mode, and high frequency (HF) associated with mesoscale eddy turbulence. This decomposition allows us to diagnose the energy fluxes between the different reservoirs and to understand the sources and sinks. Because of the large scale of the mode, most of its energy is contained in the APE. In our configuration, the only source of LF APE is the transfer from mean APE to LF APE that is attributed to the large-scale baroclinic instability. In return the sinks of LF APE are the parameterized diffusion, the flux toward HF APE, and, to a much lesser extent, the flux toward LF KE. The presence of an additional wind stress component weakens multidecadal oscillations and modifies the energy fluxes between the different energy reservoirs. The KE transfer appears to only have a minor influence on the multidecadal mode relative to the other energy sources involving APE, in all experiments. These results highlight the utility of the full APE–KE budget.
Abstract
One of the proposed mechanisms to explain the multidecadal variability observed in sea surface temperature of the North Atlantic Ocean consists of a large-scale low-frequency internal mode spontaneously developing because of the large-scale baroclinic instability of the time-mean circulation. Even though this mode has been extensively studied in terms of the buoyancy variance budget, its energetic properties remain poorly known. Here we perform the full mechanical energy budget including available potential energy (APE) and kinetic energy (KE) of this internal mode and decompose the budget into three frequency bands: mean, low frequency (LF) associated with the large-scale mode, and high frequency (HF) associated with mesoscale eddy turbulence. This decomposition allows us to diagnose the energy fluxes between the different reservoirs and to understand the sources and sinks. Because of the large scale of the mode, most of its energy is contained in the APE. In our configuration, the only source of LF APE is the transfer from mean APE to LF APE that is attributed to the large-scale baroclinic instability. In return the sinks of LF APE are the parameterized diffusion, the flux toward HF APE, and, to a much lesser extent, the flux toward LF KE. The presence of an additional wind stress component weakens multidecadal oscillations and modifies the energy fluxes between the different energy reservoirs. The KE transfer appears to only have a minor influence on the multidecadal mode relative to the other energy sources involving APE, in all experiments. These results highlight the utility of the full APE–KE budget.
