Mixing and stirring in the Southern Ocean

摘要: The vertical and horizontal mixing of waters within the ocean affects Earth's climate because it controls poleward transport heat carbon ocean, structure large-scale currents, character water that upwells interacts with atmosphere. Particularly in Southern Ocean, general circulation models can show different behavior depending on exact representation mixing. To date, however, measurements this have not been available remoteness difficult working conditions Ocean. The Diapycnal Isopycnal Mixing Experiment Ocean (DIMES) seeks to understand regional importance global by measuring large- small-scale processes. In moves primarily along surfaces constant potential density (isopycnals), but also mix change between these what is known as diapycnal This experiment, a joint effort U.S. U.K. scientists, will begin fieldwork early 2009.