Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1314
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1314
28 Jun 2023
 | 28 Jun 2023

Constraining an Eddy Energy Dissipation Rate due to Relative Wind Stress for use in Energy Budget-Based Eddy Parameterisations

Thomas Wilder, Xiaoming Zhai, David Munday, and Manoj Joshi

Abstract. A geostrophic eddy energy dissipation rate due to the interaction of the large-scale wind field and mesoscale ocean currents, or relative wind stress, is derived here for use in eddy energy budget-based eddy parameterisations. We begin this work by analytically deriving a relative wind stress damping term and a linear baroclinic geostrophic eddy energy equation. The time evolution of this analytical eddy energy in response to relative wind stress damping is compared directly with a baroclinic eddy in a general circulation model for both anticyclones and cyclones. The dissipation of eddy energy is comparable between each model and eddy type, although the nonlinear baroclinic processes in the numerical model cause it to diverge from the analytical model at around day 150. A constrained dissipation rate due to relative wind stress is then proposed using terms from the analytical eddy energy budget. This dissipation rate depends on the potential energy of the eddy thermocline displacement, which also depends on eddy length scale. Using an array of ocean datasets, and computing two forms for the eddy length scale, a range of values for the dissipation rate are presented. The analytical dissipation rate is compared with a constant dissipation rate (10−7 s−1) and is shown to vary widely across different ocean regions. Dissipation rates are found to vary from a 1/4 up to 4 times the constant dissipation rate. These dissipation rates are generally enhanced in the Southern Ocean, but smaller in the western boundaries. This proposed dissipation rate offers a tool to parameterise the damping of total eddy energy in coarse resolution global climate models, and may have implications for a wide range of climate processes.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

30 Nov 2023
| Highlight paper
Constraining an eddy energy dissipation rate due to relative wind stress for use in energy budget-based eddy parameterisations
Thomas Wilder, Xiaoming Zhai, David Munday, and Manoj Joshi
Ocean Sci., 19, 1669–1686, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-1669-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-1669-2023, 2023
Short summary Co-editor-in-chief
Thomas Wilder, Xiaoming Zhai, David Munday, and Manoj Joshi

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1314', Julian Mak, 17 Jul 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Thomas Wilder, 18 Sep 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1314', Anonymous Referee #2, 19 Jul 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Thomas Wilder, 18 Sep 2023

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1314', Julian Mak, 17 Jul 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Thomas Wilder, 18 Sep 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1314', Anonymous Referee #2, 19 Jul 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Thomas Wilder, 18 Sep 2023

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Thomas Wilder on behalf of the Authors (18 Sep 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (19 Sep 2023) by Bernadette Sloyan
RR by Julian Mak (20 Sep 2023)
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (25 Sep 2023)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (02 Oct 2023) by Bernadette Sloyan
AR by Thomas Wilder on behalf of the Authors (03 Oct 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (13 Oct 2023) by Bernadette Sloyan
AR by Thomas Wilder on behalf of the Authors (16 Oct 2023)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

30 Nov 2023
| Highlight paper
Constraining an eddy energy dissipation rate due to relative wind stress for use in energy budget-based eddy parameterisations
Thomas Wilder, Xiaoming Zhai, David Munday, and Manoj Joshi
Ocean Sci., 19, 1669–1686, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-1669-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-1669-2023, 2023
Short summary Co-editor-in-chief
Thomas Wilder, Xiaoming Zhai, David Munday, and Manoj Joshi

Data sets

Constraining an eddy energy dissipation rate due to relative wind stress for use in energy budget-based eddy parameterisations Thomas Wilder https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8017212

Thomas Wilder, Xiaoming Zhai, David Munday, and Manoj Joshi

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Latest update: 12 Sep 2024
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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

This analytical study investigates the eddy energy dissipation rate for relative wind stress. The derived dissipation rate draws on our fundamental understanding of relative wind stress damping, vertical eddy structure, and eddy energy. The study suggests a method to parameterise the damping of total eddy energy in coarse resolution global climate models, and may have implications for a wide range of climate processes.
Short summary
The dissipation rate of eddy energy in current energy budget-based eddy parameterisations is still relatively unconstrained, leading to uncertainties in ocean transport and ocean heat uptake. Here, we derive a dissipation rate due to the interaction of surface winds and eddy currents, a process known to significantly damp ocean eddies. The dissipation rate is quantified using seasonal climatology and displays wide spatial variability, with some of the largest values found in the Southern Ocean.