Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1580
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1580
04 Jun 2024
 | 04 Jun 2024

Semi-analytical approach to study the role of abyssal stratification in the propagation of potential vorticity in a four-layer ocean basin

Beatrice Giambenedetti, Nadia Lo Bue, and Vincenzo Artale

Abstract. Observations of abyssal variability performed in the Ionian Sea (Mediterranean Sea) revealed the presence of a dense stable abyssal layer, whose thermohaline and dynamical properties changed drastically over a decade. Building upon these available observations, we aim to investigate the role that stratification can have on the propagation of vorticity throughout the water column to the abyss, and in turn on the redistribution of the energy stored in the deep sea, with a set of stationary states. A quasi-geostrophic equation with four coupled layers, a free surface, and a mathematical artifice for parametrizing decadal time evolution has been considered, proving that the relative layer thicknesses and the density difference among the layers are the two critical factors that determine the dynamical characteristics of this propagation. The variability of the ocean stratification is a relevant aspect that can activate the deep and intermediate dynamics engaging in the propagation and stabilization of signals throughout the water column. This demonstrates the non-negligible active connection of the dynamics of the bottom layers with the surface. The theoretical framework and the parametrization used were based on specific observations made in the Ionian Sea in the last decades, but without losing general applicability in all ocean basins that are characterized by the presence of a stratified dense water mass in the deep and intermediate layers.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

07 Oct 2024
Study of the role of abyssal ocean stratification in the rearrangement of potential vorticity through the water column
Beatrice Giambenedetti, Nadia Lo Bue, and Vincenzo Artale
Ocean Sci., 20, 1209–1228, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-20-1209-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/os-20-1209-2024, 2024
Short summary
Beatrice Giambenedetti, Nadia Lo Bue, and Vincenzo Artale

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1580', Anonymous Referee #1, 02 Jul 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Beatrice Giambenedetti, 14 Jul 2024
      • RC3: 'Reply on AC1', Anonymous Referee #1, 16 Jul 2024
        • AC2: 'Reply on RC3', Beatrice Giambenedetti, 17 Jul 2024
          • RC4: 'Reply on AC2', Anonymous Referee #1, 17 Jul 2024
            • AC4: 'Reply on RC4', Beatrice Giambenedetti, 31 Jul 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1580', Anonymous Referee #2, 07 Jul 2024

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1580', Anonymous Referee #1, 02 Jul 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Beatrice Giambenedetti, 14 Jul 2024
      • RC3: 'Reply on AC1', Anonymous Referee #1, 16 Jul 2024
        • AC2: 'Reply on RC3', Beatrice Giambenedetti, 17 Jul 2024
          • RC4: 'Reply on AC2', Anonymous Referee #1, 17 Jul 2024
            • AC4: 'Reply on RC4', Beatrice Giambenedetti, 31 Jul 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1580', Anonymous Referee #2, 07 Jul 2024

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Beatrice Giambenedetti on behalf of the Authors (05 Aug 2024)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (09 Aug 2024) by Anne Marie Treguier
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (12 Aug 2024)
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (14 Aug 2024)
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (15 Aug 2024) by Anne Marie Treguier
AR by Beatrice Giambenedetti on behalf of the Authors (19 Aug 2024)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

07 Oct 2024
Study of the role of abyssal ocean stratification in the rearrangement of potential vorticity through the water column
Beatrice Giambenedetti, Nadia Lo Bue, and Vincenzo Artale
Ocean Sci., 20, 1209–1228, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-20-1209-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/os-20-1209-2024, 2024
Short summary
Beatrice Giambenedetti, Nadia Lo Bue, and Vincenzo Artale

Data sets

Post-processed CTD Near-full-depth Data at ER-0121 Site Beatrice Giambenedetti https://zenodo.org/doi/10.5281/zenodo.7871734

NEMO-SN1 observatory data Nadia Lo Bue and Giuditta Marinaro http://www.moist.it/sites/western_ionian_sea/2

Model code and software

QG4L Beatrice Giambenedetti https://github.com/bgiambe/QG4L

Beatrice Giambenedetti, Nadia Lo Bue, and Vincenzo Artale

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Short summary
We applied a simplified model to investigate how the stratification changes in the abyss can impact the propagation of vortices in the ocean. The abyss stratification is typically considered stable, but observations revealed that this is not always a good approximation. We found that changing the deep stratification can introduce variability in the vortices' pattern. Despite the assumption made in our model, our results are confirmed by seafloor observations in the Ionian Sea.