Global estimates of the wind‐induced energy flux to inertial motions in the surface mixed layer

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
It is believed that large‐scale oceanic thermohaline circulation is strongly influenced by small‐scale ocean mixing processes. In order to satisfy the large‐scale advective‐diffusive balance of the meridional overturning circulation, about 2.1 TW (1 TW = 1012 W) of power is required for the ocean mixing processes. This power is thought to be supplied by internal tides as well as wind stress fluctuations. Although the global energy flux from internal tides is estimated to be about 0.9 TW based on astronomical measurements, direct estimate of the global energy flux from wind stress fluctuations has not been made so far. In this study, using a simple numerical model, we estimate the wind‐induced global energy flux to inertial motions in the surface mixed layer. The calculated results show that the estimated global energy flux falls short of the required value.

This publication has 13 references indexed in Scilit: