Type of Document	Thesis
Author	Rahter, Bryan A.
Author's Email Address	bar07@fsu.edu
URN	etd-06162010-184431
Title	Turbulent Dissipation in the Mid-Latitude Mixed Layer / Thermocline Transition Layer
Degree	Master of Science
Department	Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Science, Department of
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Carol Anne Clayson Committee Chair Louis St. Laurent Committee Member Philip N. Froelich Committee Member William K. Dewar Committee Member
Keywords	Dissipation One-dimensional Models Turbulence Transition Layer Surface Ocean
Date of Defense	2010-04-29
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract The oceanic mixed layer is a region of intense mixing, where turbulence homogenizes vertical temperature and salinity distributions down to depths of O(100) m. Below the mixed layer, in the upper layers of the stratified thermocline, turbulent energy levels are greatly reduced. The transition between these two regions is the focus of this investigation. Traditionally, this transition is assumed to take place abruptly at the mixed-layer base. However, observations suggest that enhanced turbulence penetrates significantly into the stratified water below the mixed layer. Here, I present an examination of existing turbulence data documenting open ocean conditions with steady wind forcing in both the sub-tropical Atlantic and Pacific. These data will allow for direct estimates of diffusivity and diapycnal flux occurring in the mixed layer/thermocline transition layer. This analysis establishes statistics for turbulence dissipation levels occurring just below the well-mixed layer, which have not been previously documented. My investigation suggests that while the transition layer thickness can vary considerably (from O(10) to O(100) m for my data), the diabatic fluxes in this region, as measured by the turbulent dissipation rate, are 4-8 times greater than in the thermocline under typical surface forcing conditions.
Files	Filename       Size       Approximate Download Time (Hours:Minutes:Seconds)     28.8 Modem   56K Modem   ISDN (64 Kb)   ISDN (128 Kb)   Higher-speed Access    Rahter_B_Thesis_2010.pdf 11.71 Mb 00:54:12 00:27:52 00:24:23 00:12:11 00:01:02