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Updated: Oct 30, 2025
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Exploring the Effects of Atmospheric Forcings on Evaporation: Experimental Integration of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer and Shallow Subsurface
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Role of Surface Gravity Waves in Aquaplanet Ocean Climates
Joshua H P Studholme1, Margarita Y Markina2,3, Sergey K Gulev2,4
1Yale University New Haven CT USA.
Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems
|July 5, 2021
Summary
Surface gravity waves (SGWs) significantly alter ocean circulation, increasing mixed layer depth and impacting heat/salt transport. These findings are crucial for understanding climate projections and exoplanetary oceans.
Area of Science:
- Oceanography
- Climate Science
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Oceanic circulation is driven by complex interactions, including atmospheric forcing and internal dynamics.
- Surface gravity waves (SGWs) represent a key air-sea interaction not fully integrated into large-scale ocean models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the thermodynamic and dynamic impacts of surface gravity waves (SGWs) on an idealized aquaplanet ocean model.
- To quantify the effects of SGWs on oceanic circulation, density structure, and mixed layer properties.
Main Methods:
- Idealized numerical experiments using an aquaplanet ocean model with and without SGW parameterization.
- Analysis of changes in oceanic circulation, momentum fluxes, heat and salt transport, and mixed layer characteristics.
Main Results:
- SGW parameterization increased mixed layer vertical momentum diffusivity by ~40% and dampened surface momentum fluxes by ~4%.
- Oceanic meridional overturning circulation (MOC) was impacted, leading to freshening in equatorial regions and increased salinity in subtropics.
- Mixed layer depth increased by ~10% (up to 20% in winter midlatitudes), while vertical shear decreased in the upper 200m.
Conclusions:
- SGWs play a significant role in modulating ocean circulation and density structure, with impacts consistent across different climate conditions.
- These findings are relevant for improving climate projections, understanding exoplanetary oceans, and the dynamics of the Southern Ocean mixed layer.
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