SVDEP

Influence of the ocean surface velocity dependence of the surface wind stress on the dynamics of the Southern Ocean

The project aims at understanding the impact of neglecting/including the ocean surface velocity dependence of the surface wind stress on the circulation of the Southern Ocean using a realistic eddying model.
Typical wind velocities do by far exceed the typical velocities of the surface ocean circulation. Hence, the contribution of the oceanic surface velocity to the wind stress is often neglected. The impact of this simplification is not straightforward. Earlier studies suggest that including the ocean surface velocity dependence leads to a reduction of the work done by the wind, and a "damping" of mesoscale eddies, which leads to reduction of Eddy Kinetic Energy by more than 10 percent. However, the impact of this eddy damping on the meridional overturning circulation and, in turn, on the stratification and on vertically integrated transport is still under debate.

Head of the Research Unit:
Prof. Dr. Arne Biastoch
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Wischhofstr. 1 - 3
24148 Kiel
Germany
Room 3.308 (Building 5, ENB)
Phone: +49 431 600 4000
Fax: +49 431 600 134000
E-mail: abiastoch(at)geomar.de

Theoretical Oceanography:
Prof. Dr. Stephan Juricke
Room 3.311 (Building 5, ENB)
Phone: +49 431 600 4003
E-mail: sjuricke(at)geomar.de

Team Assistance:
Sabine Niewels
Phone: +49 431 600 4004
E-mail: sekretariat-od(at)geomar.de

Project Assistance:
Ruth Thormann
Phone: +49 431 600 2096
E-mail: rthormann(at)geomar.de