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Eddy Kinetic Energy in the Arctic Ocean From a Global Simulation With a 1‐km Arctic
Author(s) -
Wang Qiang,
Koldunov Nikolay V.,
Danilov Sergey,
Sidorenko Dmitry,
Wekerle Claudia,
Scholz Patrick,
Bashmachnikov Igor L.,
Jung Thomas
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2020gl088550
Subject(s) - halocline , arctic , eddy , geology , climatology , mesoscale meteorology , boundary current , oceanography , ocean current , oceanic basin , range (aeronautics) , kinetic energy , structural basin , environmental science , meteorology , geomorphology , geography , turbulence , physics , salinity , materials science , quantum mechanics , composite material
Simulating Arctic Ocean mesoscale eddies in ocean circulation models presents a great challenge because of their small size. This study employs an unstructured‐mesh ocean‐sea ice model to conduct a decadal‐scale global simulation with a 1‐km Arctic. It provides a basinwide overview of Arctic eddy energetics. Increasing model resolution from 4 to 1 km increases Arctic eddy kinetic energy (EKE) and total kinetic energy (TKE) by about 40% and 15%, respectively. EKE is the highest along main currents over topography slopes, where strong conversion from available potential energy to EKE takes place. It is high in halocline with a maximum typically centered in the depth range of 70–110 m, and in the Atlantic Water layer of the Eurasian Basin as well. The seasonal variability of EKE along the continental slopes of southern Canada and eastern Eurasian basins is similar, stronger in fall and weaker in spring.