A study of mesoscale air-sea interaction in the Southern Ocean with a regional coupled model

摘要: Abstract Coupling between the atmosphere and ocean is scale-dependent. For example, in mid-latitudes at oceanic mesoscales (spatial scales 10 hundreds of kilometers), air–sea interactions are driven by variability, responds to changes sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA), which created fast advection. This study explores these interactions, using a regional high-resolution atmosphere–ocean coupled model with realistic atmospheric component semi-idealized zonal flow. The consists two nested domains: inner domain fully model, outer one-way observed SST. Two 2-year simulations discussed here: one isopycnals steep currents strong (“Strong Currents” or SC) another less weaker (“Weak WC). Simulated mesoscale variability occurs on wide range spatial scales, we distinguish large-mesoscale (hundreds kilometers shorter) small-mesoscale (tens anomalies. most applicable mid-latitude Southern Ocean far from any boundaries. Relationships variables SSTA studied temporal correlations coupling coefficients, for both Significant positive found following pairs variables: equivalent neutral stability (ENS) 10-meter winds SSTA, wind stress divergence/curl downwind/crosswind gradients. smaller correlation coefficients also higher SC region, whereas corresponding WC region. Among all pairs, ENS consistent time various environmental conditions. show nearly linear dependence speed. As result, reported indicates complex, nonlinear relationship SST Our numerical analysis presence Vertical Mixing Mechanism involving downward momentum mixing small- large-mesoscales. In contrast, active Pressure Adjustment Marine Boundary Layer could not be confirmed considered this study.