Historical CTD dataset and associated processed dissipation rate using an improved Thorpe method in the Indonesian...

Area of Science:

• Oceanography
• Fluid Dynamics
• Geophysics

Background:

• Turbulent kinetic energy dissipation and vertical diffusivity are crucial parameters for understanding ocean mixing.
• Accurate estimation of these parameters is essential for oceanographic modeling and climate studies.
• The Indonesian seas are a region of significant oceanic activity and complex mixing processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present and analyze datasets for estimating turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rates and vertical diffusivity in the Indonesian seas.
• To enable comparison between different methods of estimating these parameters: indirect CTD-based, direct microstructure measurements, and regional models.
• To provide a comprehensive dataset for future research on spatial structures of turbulent mixing.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of archived conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) datasets (1990-2016) using an improved Thorpe method.
• Inclusion of direct dissipation rate estimates from INDOMIX (2010) and TOMTOM (2015) research expeditions.
• Presentation of outputs from three regional internal tide models for comparison with empirical estimates.

Main Results:

• The study provides a valuable compilation of datasets for turbulent mixing in the Indonesian seas.
• It facilitates the comparison of indirect CTD-based Thorpe method estimates with direct microstructure measurements.
• Model outputs are made available for validation against observational data.

Conclusions:

• The presented datasets are crucial for advancing the understanding of turbulent mixing processes in the Indonesian seas.
• This work supports the validation and improvement of oceanographic models.
• The findings contribute to a better characterization of the spatial structure of turbulent mixing.