Equatorial Deep Jets and Their Influence on the Mean Equatorial Circulation in an Idealized Ocean Model Forced by Intraseasonal Momentum Flux Convergence

Bastin, Swantje, Claus, Martin, Brandt, Peter and Greatbatch, Richard J (2020) Equatorial Deep Jets and Their Influence on the Mean Equatorial Circulation in an Idealized Ocean Model Forced by Intraseasonal Momentum Flux Convergence. GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, 47 (10).

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2020gl087808

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Equatorial deep jets (EDJ) are vertically stacked, downward propagating zonal currents that alternate in direction with depth. In the tropical Atlantic, they have been shown to influence both surface conditions and tracer variability. Despite their importance, the EDJ are absent in most ocean models. Here we show that EDJ can be generated in an idealized ocean model when the model is driven only by the convergence of the meridional flux of intraseasonal zonal momentum diagnosed from a companion model run driven by steady wind forcing, corroborating the recent theory that intraseasonal momentum flux convergence maintains the EDJ. Additionally, the EDJ in our model nonlinearly generate mean zonal currents at intermediate depths that show similarities in structure to the observed circulation in the deep equatorial Atlantic, indicating their importance for simulating the tropical ocean mean state.</jats:p>

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	equatorial deep jets, tropical Atlantic, equatorial intermediate current system, NEMO ocean model
Divisions:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > School of Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	08 Sep 2021 10:03
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2023 18:58
DOI:	10.1029/2020GL087808
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL087808
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3136363