Horizontal and vertical wavenumbers (kx, kz) immediately below the Ozmidov wavenumber (N3/ε)1/2 are spectrally distinct from both isotropic turbulence (kx, kz > 1 cpm) and internal waves as described by the Garrett–Munk (GM) model spectrum (kz < 0.1 cpm). A towed CTD chain, augmented with concurrent Electromagnetic Autonomous Profiling Explorer (EM-APEX) profiling float microstructure measurements and shipboard ADCP surveys, are used to characterize 2D wavenumber (kx, kz) spectra of isopycnal slope, vertical strain, and isopycnal salinity gradient on horizontal wavelengths from 50 m to 250 km and vertical wavelengths of 2–48 m. For kz < 0.1 cpm, 2D spectra of isopycnal slope and vertical strain resemble GM. Integrated over the other wavenumber, the isopycnal slope 1D kx spectrum exhibits a roughly +1/3 slope for kx > 3 × 10−3 cpm, and the vertical strain 1D kz spectrum a −1 slope for kz > 0.1 cpm, consistent with previous 1D measurements, numerical simulations, and anisotropic stratified turbulence theory. Isopycnal salinity gradient 1D kx spectra have a +1 slope for kx > 2 × 10−3 cpm, consistent with nonlocal stirring. Turbulent diapycnal diffusivities inferred in the (i) internal wave subrange using a vertical strain-based finescale parameterization are consistent with those inferred from finescale horizonal wavenumber spectra of (ii) isopycnal slope and (iii) isopycnal salinity gradients using Batchelor model spectra. This suggests that horizontal submesoscale and vertical finescale subranges participate in bridging the forward cascade between weakly nonlinear internal waves and isotropic turbulence, as hypothesized by anisotropic turbulence theory.
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Two-Dimensional Wavenumber Spectra on the Horizontal Submesoscale and Vertical Finescale
Abstract Horizontal and vertical wavenumbers ( k x , k z ) immediately below the Ozmidov wavenumber ( N 3 / ε ) 1/2 are spectrally distinct from both isotropic turbulence ( k x , k z > 1 cpm) and internal waves as described by the Garrett–Munk (GM) model spectrum ( k z < 0.1 cpm). A towed CTD chain, augmented with concurrent Electromagnetic Autonomous Profiling Explorer (EM-APEX) profiling float microstructure measurements and shipboard ADCP surveys, are used to characterize 2D wavenumber ( k x , k z ) spectra of isopycnal slope, vertical strain, and isopycnal salinity gradient on horizontal wavelengths from 50 m to 250 km and vertical wavelengths of 2–48 m. For k z < 0.1 cpm, 2D spectra of isopycnal slope and vertical strain resemble GM. Integrated over the other wavenumber, the isopycnal slope 1D k x spectrum exhibits a roughly +1/3 slope for k x > 3 × 10 −3 cpm, and the vertical strain 1D k z spectrum a −1 slope for k z > 0.1 cpm, consistent with previous 1D measurements, numerical simulations, and anisotropic stratified turbulence theory. Isopycnal salinity gradient 1D k x spectra have a +1 slope for k x > 2 × 10 −3 cpm, consistent with nonlocal stirring. Turbulent diapycnal diffusivities inferred in the (i) internal wave subrange using a vertical strain-based finescale parameterization are consistent with those inferred from finescale horizonal wavenumber spectra of (ii) isopycnal slope and (iii) isopycnal salinity gradients using Batchelor model spectra. This suggests that horizontal submesoscale and vertical finescale subranges participate in bridging the forward cascade between weakly nonlinear internal waves and isotropic turbulence, as hypothesized by anisotropic turbulence theory.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1734222
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10397341
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Physical Oceanography
- Volume:
- 52
- Issue:
- 9
- ISSN:
- 0022-3670
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 2009 to 2028
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1175/JPO-D-21-0111.1
