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Comparison of tropical pacific temperature and current simulations with two vertical mixing schemes embedded in an ocean general circulation model and reference to observationsThe Pacanowski-Philander (PP) and Mellor-Yamada (MY) parameterization models of vertical mixing by turbulent processes were embedded in the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory high-resolution ocean general circulation model of the tropical Pacific Ocean. All other facets of the numerical simulations were the same. Simulations were made for the 1987-1988 period. At the equator the MY simulation produced near-surface temperatures more uniform with depth, a deeper thermocline, a deeper core speed of the Equatorial Undercurrent, and a South Equatorial Current with greater vertical thickness compared with that computed with the PP method. Along 140 deg W, between 5 deg N and 10 deg N, both simulations were the same. Moored buoy current and temperature observations had been recorded by the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory at three sites (165 deg E, 140 deg W, 110 deg W) along the equator and at three sites (5 deg N, 7 deg N, 9 deg N) along 140 deg W. Simulated temperatures were lower than those observed in the near-surface layer and higher than those observed in the thermocline. Temperature simulations were in better agreement with observations compared to current simulations. At the equator, PP current and temperature simulations were more representative of the observations than MY simulations.
Document ID
19950049297
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Halpern, David
(Jet Propulsion Lab. California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, CA, United States)
Chao, YI
(Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA United States)
Ma, Chung-Chun
(Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA United States)
Mechoso, Carlos R.
(Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
February 15, 1995
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 100
Issue: C2
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Oceanography
Accession Number
95A80896
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: N00014-89-J-1845
CONTRACT_GRANT: DE-FG03-91ER-61214
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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