Tracer-based estimates of eddy-induced diffusivities
File(s)DSR1_2020.pdf (2.39 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Haigh, Michael
Sun, Luolin
Shevchenko, Igor
Berloff, Pavel
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This study provides estimates of the mean eddy-induced diffusivities of passive tracers in a three-layer, double-gyre quasigeostrophic (QG) simulation. A key aspect of this study is the use of a spatial filter to separate the flow and tracer fields into small-scale and large-scale components, and we compare results with those obtained using Reynolds temporal averaging. The eddy tracer flux is related to a rank-2 diffusivity tensor via the flux-gradient relation, which is solved for a pair of tracers with misaligned large-scale gradients. We concentrate on the symmetric part of the resulting diffusivity tensor which represents irreversible mixing processes. The eigenvalues of the symmetric tensor exhibit complicated behaviour, but a particularly dominant and robust feature is the positive/negative eigenvalue pairs, which physically represent filamentation of the tracer concentration. The large off-diagonal diffusivity tensor component is the primary contributor to the eigenvalue polarity, and since this is such a prevalent feature we argue that the (horizontal) eddy-induced diffusivity should always be treated as a full tensor. Diffusivity magnitudes are largest in the upper layer and in the eastward jet region, where the eddying flow is strongest. After removing the rotational part of the eddy tracer flux, typical mean diffusivities (eigenvalues) in the upper-layer are on the order of m2 s−1 in the jet region and m2 s−1 elsewhere. We also confirm that the time-mean of the diffusivity calculated from instantaneous fluxes is not the same as the diffusivity associated with the time-mean fluxes.
Date Issued
2020-06-01
Date Acceptance
2020-03-14
Citation
Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 2020, 160, pp.1-8
ISSN
0967-0637
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
1
End Page
8
Journal / Book Title
Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers
Volume
160
Copyright Statement
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
The Leverhulme Trust
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000535357000011&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
NE/T002220/1
RPG-2019-024
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Oceanography
Tracer diffusivities
Double-gyre basin
Quasigeostrophic flows
MATERIAL TRANSPORT
OCEANIC GYRES
SUPPRESSION
PATTERNS
FLUXES
EDDIES
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 103264
Date Publish Online
2020-03-20