Effects of rainfall on the seasonal thermocline.
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Authors
Garzon, Galo H.
Subjects
ocean mixed layer (model)
salinity effects
temperature effects
density structure
salinity trend
salinity effects
temperature effects
density structure
salinity trend
Advisors
Garwood, Roland W. Jr.
Date of Issue
1987-06
Date
June 1987
Publisher
Language
en_US
Abstract
An oceanic planetary boundary layer model is used to determine the
effects of fresh water flux on the seasonal pycnocline and mixed layer
at Ocean Station "P" ( 50°N, 145°W). First sensitivity of the model was
tested by constant forcing with a range of values of precipitation minus
evaporation. Then realistic forcing with daily average evaporation,
monthly average precipitation values, observed winds and heat fluxes
were applied to the model for a simulation of the year 1967.
The sensitivity study revealed that precipitation and evaporation
have a significant impact on the seasonal evolution of mixed layer depth
and temperature, even though the surface heat flux is not changed. The
use of realistic forcing indicates the importance of having realistic
initial salinity profiles in such models. This is especially true in
the autumn and winter seasons when rainfall reduces seasonal
mixed layer deepening by as much as 25 meters, representing a
20% change. For the simulation of the year 1967, the model predicted
values of salinity very closely follow climatology
for the first half of the year. During the late summer and fall,
predicted salinity is greater than suggested by the climatology
and may be due to unrealistically steady values of precipitation.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Oceanography
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
69 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
Copyright is reserved by the copyright owner