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Conference Paper

A backscatter-only parameterization for mesoscale eddies

Authors

Yankovsky,  Elizabeth
IUGG 2023, General Assemblies, 1 General, International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), External Organizations;

Bachman,  Scott
IUGG 2023, General Assemblies, 1 General, International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), External Organizations;

Smith,  Shafer
IUGG 2023, General Assemblies, 1 General, International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), External Organizations;

Zanna,  Laure
IUGG 2023, General Assemblies, 1 General, International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), External Organizations;

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Citation

Yankovsky, E., Bachman, S., Smith, S., Zanna, L. (2023): A backscatter-only parameterization for mesoscale eddies, XXVIII General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) (Berlin 2023).
https://doi.org/10.57757/IUGG23-4649


Cite as: https://gfzpublic.gfz-potsdam.de/pubman/item/item_5021058
Abstract
Mesoscale eddies modulate the stratification, mixing and dissipation pathways, and tracer transport of oceanic flows over a wide range of spatiotemporal scales. The parameterization of buoyancy and energy fluxes associated with mesoscale eddies thus presents an evolving challenge for ocean modelers, particularly as modern, state-of-the-art climate models approach eddy-permitting resolutions. Here we present a parameterization targeting such resolutions through the use of a sub-grid mesoscale eddy kinetic energy budget framework. Our study presents two novel insights: (1) both the buoyancy and momentum effects of eddies can be parameterized using a kinetic energy backscatter; (2) the dominant factor in ensuring a physically-accurate backscatter is the vertical structure of the parameterized fluxes. We present idealized simulations of a 1/2 and 1/4 degree resolution model with backscatter applied to the equivalent barotropic mode. Remarkably, the global kinetic and potential energies, isopycnal structure, and vertical energy partitioning are consistent with a 1/32 degree reference solution. This work provides guidance on how to parameterize mesoscale eddy effects in the challenging eddy-permitting regime.