Ocean Modeling and Parameterization / Edition 1

by Eric P. Chassignet, Jacques Verron

Overview

The realism of large scale numerical ocean models has improved dramatically in recent years, in part because modern computers permit a more faithful representation of the differential equations by their algebraic analogs. Equally significant, if not more so, has been the improved understanding of physical processes on space and time scales smaller than those that can be represented in such models. Today, some of the most challeng­ ing issues remaining in ocean modeling are associated with parameterizing the effects of these high-frequency, small-space scale processes. Accurate parameterizations are especially needed in long term integrations of coarse resolution ocean models that are designed to understand the ocean vari­ ability within the climate system on seasonal to decadal time scales. Traditionally, parameterizations of subgrid-scale, high-frequency motions in ocean modeling have been based on simple formulations, such as the Reynolds decomposition with constant diffusivity values. Until recently, modelers were concerned with first order issues such as a correct representation of the basic features of the ocean circulation. As the numerical simu­ lations become better and less dependent on the discretization choices, the focus is turning to the physics of the needed parameterizations and their numerical implementation. At the present time, the success of any large scale numerical simulation is directly dependent upon the choices that are made for the parameterization of various subgrid processes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780792352280
Publisher:	Springer Netherlands
Publication date:	08/31/1998
Series:	Nato Science Series C: , #516
Edition description:	1998
Pages:	451
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.05(d)

Table of Contents

1 Oceanic general circulation models.- 2 Forcing the oceans.- 3 Modeling and parameterizing ocean planetary boundary layers.- 4 Parameterization of the fair weather Ekman layer.- 5 The representation of bottom boundary layer processes in numerical ocean circulation models.- 6 Marginal sea overflows for climate simulations.- 7 Turbulent mixing in the ocean.- 8 Parameterization of processes in deep convection regimes.- 9 Double-diffusive convection.- 10 Interleaving at the equator.- 11 Eddy parameterisation in large scale flow.- 12 Three-dimensional residual-mean theory.- 13 Statistical mechanics of potential vorticity for parameterizing mesoscale eddies.- 14 Topographic stress: Importance and parameterization.- 15 Large-eddy simulations of three-dimensional turbulent flows: Geophysical applications.- 16 Parameter estimations in dynamical models.- 17 On the large-scale modeling of sea ice and sea ice-ocean interactions.- 18 Ocean modeling in isopycnic coordinates.

Editorial Reviews

A series of 18 lectures given at the January 1998 NATO workshop that summarize the present knowledge of the processes requiring parameterization in ocean models, and consider their optimal applications. Some of the topics are oceanic general circulation models, parameterization of the fair weather Ekman layer, marginal sea overflows for climate simulations, turbulent mixing in the ocean, interleaving at the equator, three-dimensional residual-mean theory, ocean modeling in isopycnic coordinates, and statistical mechanics of potential vorticity for parameterizing mesoscale eddies. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

‘... I strongly recommend this book for the library of each ocean climate modeler, indeed, for any climate modeler. It represents much more than a simple conference/workshop proceeding and may well fit into a course discussing physical parameterizations used in ocean modeling. It is my hope that such schools/workshops on climate-related science continue well into the future, thus producing more volumes of comparable quality and importance.'
Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 81:3 (2000)

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