Abstract
The global distributions of the mixed layer depth h D, representing the depth of uniform density, and the mixing layer depth h K, representing the depth of active turbulent mixing, were simulated using an ocean general circulation model (OGCM), and compared with each other, as well as with the mixed layer depth from the climatological data h D. The comparison between h D and hD* suggested that the threshold density difference Δ σ θ should decrease from 0.09 kg m-3 to 0.02 kg m -3 with increasing latitude for consistent comparison between two mixed layer depths, due to the different nature of density profiles depending on latitude. The comparison between h D and h K revealed that h K is deeper than hD in the region where strong subsurface shear is present, such as the equatorial ocean and the region of the western boundary current. On the other hand, hK is shallower than hD in the high latitude ocean during convective cooling and early restratification.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 217-225 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Oceanography |
Volume | 64 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2008 Apr |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was funded by the Korea Meteorological Administration Research and Development Program under Grant CATER 2006-4201.
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Oceanography