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Center for Nonlinear Studies |
We are exploring the effect of using various vertical mixing closures on resolving the physical process called overflow. This is when dense cold water overflows from a basin. This process is responsible for the majority of the Ocean's dense water. It also creates many of the currents in the ocean. This is a large part of the North Atlantic, as overflow occurs in the Denmark Strait and in the Faroe Bank Sea Channel. There are many ocean and ice models in use today, but we chose to use POP (Parallel Ocean Program). Using this model, we are testing three vertical closures, Constant, KPP, and Richardson number mixing. We would like to see how each of these closures effects the outcome of our overflow data, and which gives the optimal results. Since there are many ocean models, we are trying to determine the optimal closure for resolving the overflow process. If the model cannot accurately resolve the overflow process, then the simulation will be have errors as currents in the ocean will be incorrect.
Host: T-CNLS