Identification of diapycnal mixing through optimum multiparameter analysis 2. Evidence for unidirectional diapycnal mixing in the front between North and South Atlantic Central Water
Klein, B.; Tomczak, M. (1994). Identification of diapycnal mixing through optimum multiparameter analysis 2. Evidence for unidirectional diapycnal mixing in the front between North and South Atlantic Central Water. J. Geophys. Res. 99(C12): 25275-25280. http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/94JC01948
In: Journal of Geophysical Research. American Geophysical Union: Richmond. ISSN 0148-0227; e-ISSN 2156-2202, more
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| Keywords |
Analysis > Mathematical analysis > Statistical analysis > Variance analysis > Multivariate analysis
Atlantic Ocean
Data analysis
Growth rate
Layers > Discontinuity layers > Pycnocline
Mixing layers (fluids)
Ratios > Dimensionless numbers > Mixing ratio
Salt fingers
Stability
Transport processes > Diffusion > Molecular diffusion > Double diffusion
AN, North Atlantic [Marine Regions]; AS, South Atlantic [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Abstract |
Optimum multiparameter (OMP) analysis is used to analyze mixing in the central water boundary of the tropical North Atlantic Ocean. Diapycnal mixing is found to be prevalent in the frontal region. OMP analysis shows that the mixing is unidirectional (South Atlantic Central Water is always mixed upward into North Atlantic Central Water) but cannot identify the process responsible for the observed diapycnal mixing. A histogram of stability ratios Rp for all mixing lines shows Rp values between unity and the value found in the parent water masses. It is suggested that this may indicate competition between isopycnal mixing and double diffusion. Double diffusive fluxes are likely to make a recognizable and significant contribution to diapycnal mixing between the Central Waters. |
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