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contributor authorScott, Jeffery R.
contributor authorMarotzke, Jochem
date accessioned2017-06-09T14:55:35Z
date available2017-06-09T14:55:35Z
date copyright2002/12/01
date issued2002
identifier issn0022-3670
identifier otherams-29808.pdf
identifier urihttp://onlinelibrary.yabesh.ir/handle/yetl/4167076
description abstractThe large-scale consequences of diapycnal mixing location are explored using an idealized three-dimensional model of buoyancy-forced flow in a single hemisphere. Diapycnal mixing is most effective in supporting a strong meridional overturning circulation (MOC) if mixing occurs in regions of strong stratification, that is, in the low-latitude thermocline where diffusion causes strong vertical buoyancy fluxes. Where stratification is weak, such as at high latitudes, diapycnal mixing plays little role in determining MOC strength, consistent with weak diffusive buoyancy fluxes at these latitudes. Boundary mixing is more efficient than interior mixing at driving the MOC; with interior mixing the planetary vorticity constraint inhibits the communication of interior water mass properties and the eastern boundary. Mixing below the thermocline affects the abyssal stratification and upwelling profile but does not contribute significantly to the meridional flow through the thermocline or the ocean's meridional heat transport. The abyssal heat budget is dominated by the downward mass transport of buoyant water versus the spread of denser water tied to the properties of deep convection, with mixing of minor importance. These results are in contrast to the widespread expectation that the observed enhanced abyssal mixing can maintain the MOC; rather, they suggest that enhanced boundary mixing in the thermocline needs to be identified in observations.
publisherAmerican Meteorological Society
titleThe Location of Diapycnal Mixing and the Meridional Overturning Circulation
typeJournal Paper
journal volume32
journal issue12
journal titleJournal of Physical Oceanography
identifier doi10.1175/1520-0485(2002)032<3578:TLODMA>2.0.CO;2
journal fristpage3578
journal lastpage3595
treeJournal of Physical Oceanography:;2002:;Volume( 032 ):;issue: 012
contenttypeFulltext


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