The role of the subtropical gyres in the heat balance of the Warmwassersphaere
In: Journal of Marine Systems. Elsevier: Tokyo; Oxford; New York; Amsterdam. ISSN 0924-7963; e-ISSN 1879-1573, more
Also appears in:Nihoul, J.C.J. (Ed.) (1990). Coupled ocean-atmosphere modeling: proceedings of the 21th International Liège Colloquium on Ocean Hydrodynamics, Liège, May 8-12, 1989. Journal of Marine Systems, 1(1-3). Elsevier Scientific: Amsterdam. 313 pp., more
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| Abstract |
A coupled oceanic mixed layer-atmospheric subcloud layer model is used to analyze warm water mass formation in subtropical oceans. The influence of large scale circulation is parameterized by prescribing winds and currents, radiant heat gain and loss and air temperature and humidity above cloud base. Boundary layer processes, however, are fully accounted for. Application of the model as a diagnostic tool to an idealized subtropical gyre leads to the conclusion that net oceanic heat gain (i.e. warm water mass formation) at a rate of the order of 30 W/m-2 is possible as a consequence of cold water advection. However, in a completely warm ocean, such as the Northern Indian Ocean, there is no realistic way to square meteorologically calculated heat gains of 60 W/m-2 and more with boundary layer resistances to heat transfer. |
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