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Ocean circulation under idealized conditions and effects of meso-scale eddies

Research Project

Project/Area Number 16540393
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field Meteorology/Physical oceanography/Hydrology
Research InstitutionHokkaido University

Principal Investigator

KUBOKAWA Atsushi  Hokkaido University, Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Professor, 大学院地球環境科学研究院, 教授 (00178039)

Project Period (FY) 2004 – 2006
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2006)
Budget Amount *help
¥3,100,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,100,000)
Fiscal Year 2006: ¥1,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000)
Fiscal Year 2005: ¥1,100,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000)
Fiscal Year 2004: ¥1,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000)
Keywordseddy-resolving model / western boundary current / eastward jet / mixed-layer depth front / subduction / bottom topography / seasonal variation / 海洋循環構造 / 混合層前線 / 年周期変動 / 惑星波 / 西岸境界流 / 続流ジェット / 海洋中規模渦 / 陸棚斜面 / 海洋混合層
Research Abstract

In order to understand the ocean circulation dynamics in idealized configurations, we carried out the following three studies.
1.Ocean circulation in an eddy-resolving model-Adopting a two-layer quasigeostrophic model driven by anti-symmetric Ekman pumping, a numerical solution with double eastward jets which are prematurely separated from the western boundary was obtained when the inertial boundary layer thickness is realistic and viscous western boundary layer is not very thin, as well as a solution with a single eastward jets along the inter-gyre-boundary. The latitude of the eastward jet of double-jet solution is insensitive to parameters, and strongly depends on the meridional profile of the wind forcing. A parameter region where both the single-jet and double-jet solutions coexist was found.
2.Upper-layer ocean structure in an idealized ocean GCM-" Focusing on the mixed-layer depth (MLD) front, we investigated the MLD distribution and subduction of low PV water. It was found that the MLD front occurs along a curve where the upper-layer geostrophic current flows parallel to outcrops. The water subducted at the MLD front does not cross the outcrop, different from that expected from the ventilated thermocline theory. The effect of seasonally variable forcing on the MLD distribution was also investigated.
3.Effects of bottom topography: It was found that the mass transport of a western boundary current over a slope in high latitude almost coincides with the annual mean Sverdrup transport in a weak wind season, while it coincides with instantaneous Sverdrup transport in strong wind season, if we define the transport as the integrated current from the coast to a point where the current direction changes. Rossby waves over a one-dimensional periodic topography were also investigated.

Report

(4 results)
  • 2006 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report Summary
  • 2005 Annual Research Report
  • 2004 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (4 results)

All 2007 2005

All Journal Article (4 results)

  • [Journal Article] Mixed layer depth front and subduction of low potential vorticity water in an idealized ocean GCM.2007

    • Author(s)
      Nishikawa, S., A.Kubokawa
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Oceanography 63

      Pages: 125-134

    • NAID

      10018463643

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2006 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Journal Article] Mixed layer depth front and subduction of low potential vorticity water in an idealized ocean GCM.2007

    • Author(s)
      Nishikwa, S., A.Kubokawa
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Oceanography 63・1

      Pages: 125-134

    • NAID

      10018463643

    • Related Report
      2006 Annual Research Report
  • [Journal Article] The influence of current width variation on the annual mean transport of the East Sakhalin Current : a simple model.2005

    • Author(s)
      Shimada, Y., A.Kubokawa, K.I.Ohshima
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Oceanography 61

      Pages: 197-211

    • NAID

      40006831458

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2006 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Journal Article] The influence of current width variation on the annual mean transport of the East Sakhalin Current : a simple model2005

    • Author(s)
      Shimada, T., 他
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Oceanography 61

      Pages: 913-920

    • Related Report
      2005 Annual Research Report

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Published: 2004-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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