Abstract We use an interannually forced version of the Parallel Ocean Program, configured to resolve mesoscale eddies, to close the global eddy potential energy (EPE) budget associated with temperature variability. By closing the EPE budget, we are able to properly investigate the role of diabatic processes in modulating mesoscale energetics in the context of other processes driving eddy–mean flow interactions. A Helmholtz decomposition of the eddy heat flux field into divergent and rotational components is applied to estimate the baroclinic conversion from mean to eddy potential energy. In doing so, an approximate two-way balance between the “divergent” baroclinic conversion and upgradient vertical eddy heat fluxes in the ocean interior is revealed, in accordance with baroclinic instability and the relaxation of isopycnal slopes. However, in the mixed layer, the EPE budget is greatly modulated by diabatic mixing, with air–sea interactions and interior diffusion playing comparable roles. Globally, this accounts for ∼60% of EPE converted to EKE (eddy kinetic energy), with the remainder being dissipated by air–sea interactions and interior mixing. A seasonal composite of baroclinic energy conversions shows that the strongest EPE to EKE conversion occurs during the summer in both hemispheres. The seasonally varying diabatic processes in the upper ocean are further shown to be closely linked to this EPE–EKE conversion seasonality, but with a lead. The peak energy dissipation through vertical mixing occurs ahead of the minimum EKE generation by 1–2 months.
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The Multi‐Scale Response of the Eddy Kinetic Energy and Transport to Strengthened Westerlies in an Idealized Antarctic Circumpolar Current
The Southern Ocean's eddy response to changing climate remains unclear, with observations suggesting non‐monotonic changes in eddy kinetic energy (EKE) across scales. Here simulations reappear that smaller‐mesoscale EKE is suppressed while larger‐mesoscale EKE increases with strengthened winds. This change was linked to scale‐wise changes in the kinetic energy cycle, where a sensitive balance between the dominant mesoscale energy sinks—inverse KE cascade, and source—baroclinic energization. Such balance induced a strong (weak) mesoscale suppression in the flat (ridge) channel. Mechanistically, this mesoscale suppression is attributed to stronger zonal jets weakening smaller mesoscale eddies and promoting larger‐scale waves. These EKE multiscale changes lead to multiscale changes in meridional and vertical eddy transport, which can be parameterized using a scale‐dependent diffusivity linked to the EKE spectrum. This multiscale eddy response may have significant implications for understanding and modeling the Southern Ocean eddy activity and transport under a changing climate.
more » « less- Award ID(s):
- 2242110
- PAR ID:
- 10507043
- Publisher / Repository:
- DOI PREFIX: 10.1029
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Geophysical Research Letters
- Volume:
- 51
- Issue:
- 8
- ISSN:
- 0094-8276
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Significance Statement The Earth system, including the ocean, is chaotic. Namely, the state to be realized is highly sensitive to minute perturbations, a phenomenon commonly known as the “butterfly effect.” Here, we run a sweep of ocean simulations that allow us to disentangle the oceanic expression of chaos from the oceanic response to the atmosphere. We investigate the energy pathways between the two in a physically consistent manner in the North Atlantic region. Our approach can be extended to robustly examine the temporal change of oceanic energy and heat distribution under a warming climate.
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