A prediction model for the variation of the thermal structure in the ocean surface layer

Abstract

A numerical model is developed for the simulation of changes of the vertical temperature distribution within the ocean surface layer as a function of time. For imposed meteorological conditions characteristic of winter and summer seasons for two different oceanic regions, the temperature distributions are calculated, and their diurnal variations discussed. The flux of solar radiation and sensible heat within the surface layer of the ocean is evaluated using an equation for the non-steady state transfer of heat. It is assumed that a horizontally uniform temperature exists within an isohaline surface layer of the ocean. Two modes of eddy diffusion of heat are considered in the model, one relating convective thermal diffusion to thermal in stability when there is a light wind, and the second mode relating turbulent thermal diffusion to wind stress and wave induced turbulence. Within the water, heat flux by conduction near the air-sea interface is calculated as an implicit function of surface temperature, and the absorption of solar radiation is calculated for nine selected spectral bands. ...