Estimating ventilation time scales using overturning stream functions
Thompson, B. Nycander, J. Nilsson, J. Jakobsson, M. Döös, K.
Nycander, J.
Nilsson, J.
Jakobsson, M.
Döös, K.
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Abstract
A simple method for estimating ventilation time scales from overturning stream functions is proposed. The stream function may be computed using either geometric coordinates or a generalized vertical coordinate, such as potential density (salinity in our study). The method is tested with a three-dimensional circulation model describing an idealized semi-enclosed ocean basin ventilated through a narrow strait over a sill, and the result is compared to age estimates obtained from a passive numerical age tracer. The best result is obtained when using the stream function in salinity coordinates. In this case, the reservoir-averaged advection time obtained from the overturning stream function in salinity coordinates agrees rather well with the mean age of the age tracer, and the corresponding maximum ages agree very well. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
Keywords
Age tracer, MOM4p1, Ocean ventilation, Stream function
Source Title
Ocean Dynamics
Publisher
Series/Report No.
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Date
2014-05-21
DOI
10.1007/s10236-014-0726-5
Type
Article