MSGID: 1:317/3 64b0cf9b   
   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
    A new method allows quantifying the spatial intermittency of ocean   
   currents    
      
     Date:   
         July 13, 2023   
     Source:   
         Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)   
     Summary:   
         Understanding Atlantic Ocean circulation is key for assessing the   
         global ocean interconnections, in what is known as the 'global   
         conveyor belt'.   
      
         This is because the latitudinal ends of the Atlantic, bordering   
         the polar regions, are cold-water formation regions that trigger   
         the onset of the global conveyor belt. Because of their high   
         density, each winter the waters of these polar regions sink and   
         initiate the conveyor belt, thus helping to redistribute heat   
         on a planetary scale, which ultimately influences the climate,   
         especially in Europe.   
      
      
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   Understanding Atlantic Ocean circulation is key for assessing the   
   global ocean interconnections, in what is known as the "global conveyor   
   belt." This is because the latitudinal ends of the Atlantic, bordering the   
   polar regions, are cold-water formation regions that trigger the onset   
   of the global conveyor belt. Because of their high density, each winter   
   the waters of these polar regions sink and initiate the conveyor belt,   
   thus helping to redistribute heat on a planetary scale, which ultimately   
   influences the climate, especially in Europe.   
      
   To quantify this circulation on a planetary scale, it is necessary to   
   understand the intensity of all those processes that cause the spatial   
   and temporal intermittency of the large currents, i.e. the diffusive   
   processes. A new study led by the Institut de Cie`ncies del Mar (ICM-CSIC)   
   in Barcelona, which delves into the processes of horizontal diffusion   
   in the South Atlantic, has developed a new methodology for calculating   
   this diffusion at both regional and global levels.   
      
   "The new methodology, which we have named ROD (Radial Offset by   
   Diffusion), allows us to determine the horizontal diffusion coefficients   
   in the ocean and to estimate their spatial variability," states Anna   
   Olive', leading author of the study.   
      
   To carry out this work, published in the Journal of Atmospheric and   
   Oceanic Technology, researchers analysed the displacements, between 2002   
   and 2020, of more than 600 drifting buoys, that is, dragged buoys that   
   drift with the ocean currents and hence allow knowing their direction   
   and speed.   
      
   "We then numerically simulated these buoys' trajectories and calculated   
   the distance between the final position of the drifting buoys and that   
   estimated with the numerical simulations, which allowed us to quantify the   
   horizontal diffusive processes existing in the region," adds Anna Olive'.   
      
   The study shows that the maximum horizontal diffusion occurs near the   
   ocean surface, in the first 200 m depth, while the minimum values are   
   observed between 1400 and 2000 m depth. Diffusion also increases in the   
   northernmost Antarctic fronts due to the presence of the strong Falkland   
   Current, which flows northwards along the Atlantic coast of Patagonia,   
   reaching La Plata River.   
      
   "This important spatial difference confirms the large variability of   
   horizontal diffusion in the ocean, which highlights that a constant   
   coefficient cannot be used throughout the ocean," explains Josep Llui's   
   Pelegri', co-author of the study.   
      
   Unlike others, the ROD method is easy to implement and does not require   
   excessive computational use. According to Anna Olive', "this facilitates   
   its application and makes it an effective tool for understanding the   
   processes of diffusion and turbulent mixing in regions as dynamic as the   
   Antarctic fronts."  For example, the new methodology will make it possible   
   to know which horizontal diffusion coefficient is most appropriate for   
   studying each oceanic region.   
      
   Until now, the uncertainties in this parameter has limited the predictive   
   capacity of oceanographic numerical models.   
      
   "Thanks to the increase in the number of drifting buoys and the continuous   
   improvements in high-resolution numerical models and reanalysis, the ROD   
   method will provide us with more precise estimates that will allow us   
   to better predict the temporal evolution of large-scale processes that   
   have a major impact on the climate of our planet, such as the global   
   conveyor belt," concludes Anna Olive'.   
      
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   Story Source: Materials provided by   
   Spanish_National_Research_Council_(CSIC). Note: Content may be edited   
   for style and length.   
      
      
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   Journal Reference:   
      1. Anna Olive' Abello', Josep L. Pelegri', Francisco Machi'n. A Simple   
         Method for Estimating Horizontal Diffusivity. Journal of   
         Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 2023; 40 (6): 739 DOI:   
         10.1175/JTECH-D-22-0097.1   
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   Link to news story:   
   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230713141958.htm   
      
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