A Simplified Ocean Physics? Revisiting Abyssal Recipes
Name
phoc-JPO-D-22-0229.1.pdf
Description
Published version
Size
4.3 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
96e0ae143d91e81dbca2cee1422e2e98
Author(s)
Wunsch, Carl
Date Issued
May 2023
Journal
Journal of Physical Oceanography
Publisher
American Meteorological Society
Citation
Wunsch, C., 2023: A Simplified Ocean Physics? Revisiting Abyssal Recipes. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 53, 1387–1400.
Version
Final published version
Abstract
Abstract
Simplified descriptions of the ocean are useful both for formulating explanatory theories and for conveying meaningful global attributes. Here, using a 26-yr average of a global state estimate from ECCO, the basis for Munk’s “abyssal recipes” is evaluated on a global scale between 1000- and 3000-m depth. The two specific hydrographic stations he used prove untypical, with potential temperature and salinity more generally displaying different vertical scale heights, and thus differing in one-dimensional (in the vertical) values of mixing coefficients and/or vertical velocities. The simplest explanation is that the circulation is fully three-dimensional with temperature and salinity fields not describable with a one-dimensional steady balance. In contrast, the potential density and buoyancy are quantitatively describable through a one-dimensional exponential balance, and which calls for an explanation in terms of turbulent mixing processes.
Simplified descriptions of the ocean are useful both for formulating explanatory theories and for conveying meaningful global attributes. Here, using a 26-yr average of a global state estimate from ECCO, the basis for Munk’s “abyssal recipes” is evaluated on a global scale between 1000- and 3000-m depth. The two specific hydrographic stations he used prove untypical, with potential temperature and salinity more generally displaying different vertical scale heights, and thus differing in one-dimensional (in the vertical) values of mixing coefficients and/or vertical velocities. The simplest explanation is that the circulation is fully three-dimensional with temperature and salinity fields not describable with a one-dimensional steady balance. In contrast, the potential density and buoyancy are quantitatively describable through a one-dimensional exponential balance, and which calls for an explanation in terms of turbulent mixing processes.
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1175/JPO-D-22-0229.1
