Ocean Mixing


Book Description

Ocean Mixing: Drivers, Mechanisms and Impacts presents a broad panorama of one of the most rapidly-developing areas of marine science. It highlights the state-of-the-art concerning knowledge of the causes of ocean mixing, and a perspective on the implications for ocean circulation, climate, biogeochemistry and the marine ecosystem. This edited volume places a particular emphasis on elucidating the key future questions relating to ocean mixing, and emerging ideas and activities to address them, including innovative technology developments and advances in methodology. Ocean Mixing is a key reference for those entering the field, and for those seeking a comprehensive overview of how the key current issues are being addressed and what the priorities for future research are. Each chapter is written by established leaders in ocean mixing research; the volume is thus suitable for those seeking specific detailed information on sub-topics, as well as those seeking a broad synopsis of current understanding. It provides useful ammunition for those pursuing funding for specific future research campaigns, by being an authoritative source concerning key scientific goals in the short, medium and long term. Additionally, the chapters contain bespoke and informative graphics that can be used in teaching and science communication to convey the complex concepts and phenomena in easily accessible ways. - Presents a coherent overview of the state-of-the-art research concerning ocean mixing - Provides an in-depth discussion of how ocean mixing impacts all scales of the planetary system - Includes elucidation of the grand challenges in ocean mixing, and how they might be addressed




Ocean Circulation


Book Description

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 173. The ocean's meridional overturning circulation (MOC) is a key factor in climate change. The Atlantic MOC, in particular, is believed to play an active role in the regional and global climate variability. It is associated with the recent debate on rapid climate change, the Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation (AMO), global warming, and Atlantic hurricanes. This is the first book to deal with all aspects of the ocean's large-scale meridional overturning circulation, and is a coherent presentation, from a mechanistic point of view, of our current understanding of paleo, present-day, and future variability and change. It presents the current state of the science by bringing together the world's leading experts in physical, chemical, and biological oceanography, marine geology, geochemistry, paleoceanography, and climate modeling. A mix of overview and research papers makes this volume suitable not only for experts in the field, but also for students and anyone interested in climate change and the oceans.




Geoid and its Geophysical Interpretations


Book Description

Geoid and its Geophysical Interpretations explains how an accurate geoid can be constructed and used for a variety of applied and theoretical geophysical purposes. The book discusses existing techniques for geoid computation, recently developed mathematical and computational tools designed for applications, and various interpretations. Principles and results are well illustrated. This book will be an excellent reference for geodesists, geophysicists, geophysical prospectors, oceanographers, and researchers and students in geophysics and geodesy.




Modeling Atmospheric and Oceanic Flows


Book Description

Modeling Atmospheric and Oceanic Flows: Insights from Laboratory Experiments and Numerical Simulations provides a broad overview of recent progress in using laboratory experiments and numerical simulations to model atmospheric and oceanic fluid motions. This volume not only surveys novel research topics in laboratory experimentation, but also highlights recent developments in the corresponding computational simulations. As computing power grows exponentially and better numerical codes are developed, the interplay between numerical simulations and laboratory experiments is gaining paramount importance within the scientific community. The lessons learnt from the laboratory–model comparisons in this volume will act as a source of inspiration for the next generation of experiments and simulations. Volume highlights include: Topics pertaining to atmospheric science, climate physics, physical oceanography, marine geology and geophysics Overview of the most advanced experimental and computational research in geophysics Recent developments in numerical simulations of atmospheric and oceanic fluid motion Unique comparative analysis of the experimental and numerical approaches to modeling fluid flow Modeling Atmospheric and Oceanic Flows will be a valuable resource for graduate students, researchers, and professionals in the fields of geophysics, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, climate science, hydrology, and experimental geosciences.







Mathematical and Computational Models of Flows and Waves in Geophysics


Book Description

This volume proposes an integral approach to studying the geophysics of Earth. It is motivated by a variety of phenomena from nature with deep and direct impacts in our lives. Such events may evolve across a large range of spatial and time scales and may be observed in the ocean, the atmosphere, the volcanic surface as well as underground. The physical laws dictating the evolution of such phenomena lead to the unifying theme of this manuscript, that is, the mathematical and computational modeling of flows and waves. Consequently, the underlying models are given in terms of Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) whose solutions are approximated using numerical methods, thus providing simulations of the aforementioned phenomena, as well as the appropriate geophysical validation and interpretation.




Poleward Flows Along Eastern Ocean Boundaries


Book Description

In this paper differences and anomalies in west coast seasonal flow structures have been highlighted. In particular, it was emphasized that flow off Washington has significant differences from that of Oregon; namely, during summer, flow at mid-shelf is more poleward off Washington, and during winter, flow on the inner-shelf is more equatorward off Washington than off Oregon. The former result may be related to the poleward decrease in the longshelf wind stress; the latter result may be related to the presence of the Columbia River plume. Off southern California the near-surface flow over the shelf is more persistently equatorward than that off Washington . Conversely, the flow over the slope in the upper 100 m of the water column is more persistently poleward than that off washington. Also, the undercurrent structure, that is, a subsurface maximum, is maintained at least from summer to early winter off southern California (no data are yet available from spring), but only during summer and early fall off washington. We note that the seasonal cycle of vertical shear in the two locations is similar, although a reversal in sign sometimes occurs off Washington. ACKNOWLEDGEMZNTS This work was supported by the Department of Energy under Grant DE-FG05-85ER60333t4 and by the National Science Foundation under Grant OCE 86-01058#1. 175 From: Adriana Huyer, College of Oceanography, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. On: Review and Commentary to paper POLEWARD FLOW NEAR TRE NORTRERH AND SOU'l'BERH BOONDARIES OF TRE U. S. WEST COAST, by Barbara Hickey.




Modern Approaches to Data Assimilation in Ocean Modeling


Book Description

The field of oceanographic data assimilation is now well established. The main area of concern of oceanographic data assimilation is the necessity for systematic model improvement and ocean state estimation. In this respect, the book presents the newest, innovative applications combining the most sophisticated assimilation methods with the most complex ocean circulation models.Ocean prediction has also now emerged as an important area in itself. The book contains reviews of scientific oceanographic issues covering different time and space scales. The application of data assimilation methods can provide significant advances in the understanding of this subject. Also included are the first, recent developments in the forecasting of oceanic flows.Only original articles that have undergone full peer review are presented, to ensure the highest scientific quality. This work provides an excellent coverage of state-of-the-art oceanographic data assimilation.




Particles in the Coastal Ocean


Book Description

This book summarizes the modeling of the transport, evolution and fate of particles in the coastal ocean for advanced students and researchers.




Abrupt Climate Change


Book Description

The climate record for the past 100,000 years clearly indicates that the climate system has undergone periodic-and often extreme-shifts, sometimes in as little as a decade or less. The causes of abrupt climate changes have not been clearly established, but the triggering of events is likely to be the result of multiple natural processes. Abrupt climate changes of the magnitude seen in the past would have far-reaching implications for human society and ecosystems, including major impacts on energy consumption and water supply demands. Could such a change happen again? Are human activities exacerbating the likelihood of abrupt climate change? What are the potential societal consequences of such a change? Abrupt Climate Change: Inevitable Surprises looks at the current scientific evidence and theoretical understanding to describe what is currently known about abrupt climate change, including patterns and magnitudes, mechanisms, and probability of occurrence. It identifies critical knowledge gaps concerning the potential for future abrupt changes, including those aspects of change most important to society and economies, and outlines a research strategy to close those gaps. Based on the best and most current research available, this book surveys the history of climate change and makes a series of specific recommendations for the future.