Modulation of Wind Work by Oceanic Current Interaction with the Atmosphere

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dc.contributor.authorRenault, Lionel
dc.contributor.authorMolemaker, M Jeroen
dc.contributor.authorMcWilliams, James C
dc.contributor.authorShchepetkin, Alexander F
dc.contributor.authorLemarié, Florian
dc.contributor.authorChelton, Dudley
dc.contributor.authorIllig, Serena
dc.contributor.authorHall, Alex
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-08T07:08:15Z
dc.date.available2021-10-08T07:08:15Z
dc.date.issued2016
dc.description.abstractIn this study uncoupled and coupled ocean-atmosphere simulations are carried out for the California Upwelling System to assess the dynamic ocean-atmosphere interactions, viz.,the ocean surface current feedback to the atmosphere. We show the current feedback by modulating the energy transfer from the atmosphere to the ocean, controls the oceanic Eddy Kinetic Energy (EKE). For the first time, we demonstrate the current feedback has an effect on the surface stress and an counteracting effect on the wind itself. The current feedback acts as an oceanic eddy killer, reducing by half the surface EKE, and by 27% the depth-integrated EKE. On one hand, it reduces the coastal generation of eddies by weakening the surface stress and hence the near-shore supply of positive wind work (i.e., the work done by the wind on the ocean). On the other hand, by inducing a surface stress curl opposite to the current vorticity, it deflects energy from the geostrophic current into the atmosphere and dampens eddies. The wind response counteracts the surface stress response. It partly re-energizes the ocean in the coastal region and decreases the offshore return of energy to the atmosphere. Eddy statistics confirm the current feedback dampens the eddies and reduces their lifetime, improving the realism of the simulation. Finally, we propose an additional energy element in the Lorenz diagram of energy conversion, viz., the current-induced transfer of energy from the ocean to the atmosphere at the eddy scale.
dc.identifier.apacitationRenault, L., Molemaker, M. J., McWilliams, J. C., Shchepetkin, A. F., Lemarié, F., Chelton, D., ... Hall, A. (2016). Modulation of Wind Work by Oceanic Current Interaction with the Atmosphere. <i>Journal of Physical Oceanography</i>, 46(6), 1685 - 1704. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34535en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationRenault, Lionel, M Jeroen Molemaker, James C McWilliams, Alexander F Shchepetkin, Florian Lemarié, Dudley Chelton, Serena Illig, and Alex Hall "Modulation of Wind Work by Oceanic Current Interaction with the Atmosphere." <i>Journal of Physical Oceanography</i> 46, 6. (2016): 1685 - 1704. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34535en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationRenault, L., Molemaker, M.J., McWilliams, J.C., Shchepetkin, A.F., Lemarié, F., Chelton, D., Illig, S. & Hall, A. et al. 2016. Modulation of Wind Work by Oceanic Current Interaction with the Atmosphere. <i>Journal of Physical Oceanography.</i> 46(6):1685 - 1704. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34535en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn0022-3670
dc.identifier.issn1520-0485
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Renault, Lionel AU - Molemaker, M Jeroen AU - McWilliams, James C AU - Shchepetkin, Alexander F AU - Lemarié, Florian AU - Chelton, Dudley AU - Illig, Serena AU - Hall, Alex AB - In this study uncoupled and coupled ocean-atmosphere simulations are carried out for the California Upwelling System to assess the dynamic ocean-atmosphere interactions, viz.,the ocean surface current feedback to the atmosphere. We show the current feedback by modulating the energy transfer from the atmosphere to the ocean, controls the oceanic Eddy Kinetic Energy (EKE). For the first time, we demonstrate the current feedback has an effect on the surface stress and an counteracting effect on the wind itself. The current feedback acts as an oceanic eddy killer, reducing by half the surface EKE, and by 27% the depth-integrated EKE. On one hand, it reduces the coastal generation of eddies by weakening the surface stress and hence the near-shore supply of positive wind work (i.e., the work done by the wind on the ocean). On the other hand, by inducing a surface stress curl opposite to the current vorticity, it deflects energy from the geostrophic current into the atmosphere and dampens eddies. The wind response counteracts the surface stress response. It partly re-energizes the ocean in the coastal region and decreases the offshore return of energy to the atmosphere. Eddy statistics confirm the current feedback dampens the eddies and reduces their lifetime, improving the realism of the simulation. Finally, we propose an additional energy element in the Lorenz diagram of energy conversion, viz., the current-induced transfer of energy from the ocean to the atmosphere at the eddy scale. DA - 2016 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 6 J1 - Journal of Physical Oceanography LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2016 SM - 0022-3670 SM - 1520-0485 T1 - Modulation of Wind Work by Oceanic Current Interaction with the Atmosphere TI - Modulation of Wind Work by Oceanic Current Interaction with the Atmosphere UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34535 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/34535
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationRenault L, Molemaker MJ, McWilliams JC, Shchepetkin AF, Lemarié F, Chelton D, et al. Modulation of Wind Work by Oceanic Current Interaction with the Atmosphere. Journal of Physical Oceanography. 2016;46(6):1685 - 1704. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34535.en_ZA
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Oceanography
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Science
dc.sourceJournal of Physical Oceanography
dc.source.journalissue6
dc.source.journalvolume46
dc.source.pagination1685 - 1704
dc.source.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JPO-D-15-0232.1
dc.subject.otherCirculation/ Dynamics
dc.subject.otherAtmosphere-ocean interaction
dc.subject.otherBoundary currents
dc.subject.otherEddies
dc.subject.otherMesoscale processes
dc.subject.otherOcean dynamics
dc.subject.otherUpwelling/downwelling
dc.subject.otherArticle
dc.titleModulation of Wind Work by Oceanic Current Interaction with the Atmosphere
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.publicationResearch
uct.type.resourceJournal Article
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