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Title: Overestimated Eddy Kinetic Energy in the Eddy‐Rich Regions Simulated by Eddy‐Resolving Global Ocean–Sea Ice Models

Journal Article · · Geophysical Research Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL098370· OSTI ID:1872154
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [2]; ORCiD logo [3]; ORCiD logo [4];  [1]; ORCiD logo [1];  [5]
  1. State Key Laboratory of Numerical Modeling for Atmospheric Sciences and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Institute of Atmospheric Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
  2. State Key Laboratory of Numerical Modeling for Atmospheric Sciences and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Institute of Atmospheric Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China, College of Earth and Planetary Sciences University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China, Center for Ocean Mega‐Science Chinese Academy of Sciences Qingdao China
  3. State Key Laboratory of Numerical Modeling for Atmospheric Sciences and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Institute of Atmospheric Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China, College of Earth and Planetary Sciences University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
  4. Climate and Global Dynamics Laboratory National Center for Atmospheric Research Boulder CO USA
  5. Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Information Technology National Marine Data and Information Service, Ministry of Natural Resources Tianjin China

Abstract The performance of eddy‐resolving global ocean–sea ice models in simulating mesoscale eddies is evaluated using six eddy‐resolving experiments forced by different atmospheric reanalysis products. Interestingly, eddy‐resolving ocean general circulation models (OGCMs) tend to simulate more (less) energetic eddy‐rich (eddy‐poor) regions with a smaller (larger) spatial extent than satellite observation, which finally shows that larger (smaller) mesoscale energy intensity (EI) is simulated in the eddy‐rich (eddy‐poor) regions. Quantitatively, there is an approximately 27%–60% overestimation of EI in the eddy‐rich regions, which are mainly located in the Kuroshio–Oyashio Extension, the Gulf Stream, and the Antarctic Circumpolar Currents regions, although the global mean EI is underestimated by 25%–45%. Apparently, the eddy kinetic energy in the eddy‐poor region is underestimated. Further analyses based on coherent mesoscale eddy properties show that the overestimation in the eddy‐rich regions is mainly attributed to mesoscale eddies’ intensity and is more prominent when mesoscale eddies are in their growth stage.

Research Organization:
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); National Science Foundation (NSF)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0022070; 1947282
OSTI ID:
1872154
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1872155; OSTI ID: 1978574
Journal Information:
Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Vol. 49 Journal Issue: 11; ISSN 0094-8276
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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