An Improved Bio-Physical Parameterization for Ocean Radiant Heating in Conditions of Near-Surface Stratification

Area of Science:

• Oceanography
• Atmospheric Science
• Radiative Transfer

Background:

• Solar heating is crucial for the ocean-atmosphere system.
• Phytoplankton concentration significantly alters ocean heating profiles.
• Existing models lack accurate, spectrally dependent parameterizations for near-surface stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

• Develop an improved, spectrally dependent parameterization for ocean radiant heating.
• Ensure accuracy in the upper ocean layers while maintaining computational simplicity.
• Validate the new parameterization using observational data.

Main Methods:

• Assembled observationally-validated physical modeling tools.
• Simplified tools into a new parameterization.
• Utilized spectroradiometer depth casts, hyperspectral radiometer deployments, and UAV-derived albedo for validation.

Main Results:

• Developed and validated a novel parameterization for ocean radiant heating.
• Demonstrated the impact of chlorophyll concentration on diurnal warm layer structure.
• The parameterization shows accuracy and quantifies uncertainty.

Conclusions:

• The new parameterization enhances modeling of sea surface temperature and diurnal warming.
• It allows for better prediction of freshwater lenses.
• This advancement improves ocean models without significant complexity increase.