Large eddy simulation of the rotation effect on the ocean turbulence kinetic energy budget in the surface mixed layer

• Published in: Chinese journal of oceanology and limnology Vol. 32; no. 5; pp. 1198 - 1206
• Main Author: 李爽 宋金宝 何海伦
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.09.2014; Science Press; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Boundary layers; Boussinesq approximation; Boussinesq equations; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth rotation; Earth Sciences; Eddy viscosity; energy; Energy budget; Fluid mechanics; Kinetic energy; Kinetics; Langmuir circulation; Large eddy simulation; Latitude; Mathematical models; Mixed layer; Ocean circulation; Ocean-atmosphere interaction; Oceanic turbulence; Oceanography; Physical oceanography; Physics; Rotation; Surface mixed layer; Turbulence; turbulent flow; viscosity; Vortices; Wave breaking; Wind; Wind speed; 动能收支; 大涡模拟; 数值模拟; 旋转; 海洋; 混合层; 湍流动能; 表面; large eddy simulation (LES); Earth rotation; turbulence kinetic energy (TKE)
• ISSN: 0254-4059; 2096-5508; 1993-5005; 2523-3521
• DOI: 10.1007/s00343-014-3188-1

A non-hydrostatic, Boussinesq, and three-dimensional large eddy simulation (LES) model was used to study the impact of the Earth’s rotation on turbulence and the redistribution of energy in turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) budget. A set of numerical simulations was conducted, (1) with and without rotation, (2) at different latitudes (10°N, 30°N, 45°N, 60°N, and 80°N), (3) with wave breaking and with Langmuir circulation, and (4) under different wind speeds (5, 10, 20, and 30 m/s). The results show that eddy viscosity decreases when rotation is included, indicating that rotation weakens the turbulence strength. The TKE budget become tight with rotation and the effects of rotation grow with latitude. However, rotation become less important under Langmuir circulation since the transport term is strong in the vertical direction. Finally, simulations were conducted based on field data from the Boundary Layer and Air-Sea Transfer Low Wind (CBLAST-Low) experiment. The results, although more complex, are consistent with the results obtained from earlier simulations using ideal numerical conditions.