Energetics of the Deep Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

The evaluation of the ocean energy balance is crucial for improving the fundamental understanding of the mechanisms sustaining ocean circulation. Based on the outputs of the ROMS ocean model, the energy cycle, eddy–mean flow interactions, and energy pathways of the deep Gulf of Mexico (GoM) have been investigated in this study. The theoretical framework for the analysis is based on the energy equations for the time-mean and time-varying flow, where some of the terms were split into their horizontal and vertical components to monitor the energy pathways. Of the energy maintaining deep kinetic energy (KE), approximately 75% is transferred from the upper layer to the deep layer by vertical pressure work (PW), about 6% by the horizontal PW through the Yucatan and Florida straits, and ~19% is generated through the processes related to baroclinic instabilities. The mean circulation generates eddies in the upper layer, while eddies drive mean circulation in the deep layer. Energy is transferred downward in the eastern and western part of the Gulf, upward in the deep western-central part, and a strong westward energy transport can be observed below 2000-m depth.

Influence of the Kuroshio Intrusion on Deep Flow Intraseasonal Variability in the Northern South China Sea

“…(2021), can be interpretated as PV conservation or being energized through pressure work in terms of energetics. This is consistent with our findings, as well as a number of other observational and modeling studies in the SCS (Shu et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2019; H. Yang et al., 2013) and Gulf of Mexico (Maslo et al., 2020; Y. Yang et al., 2020), in which energy transfers due to instabilities are largely confined to the upper 1,000 m and pressure work dominates the energetics at depth. In addition, pressure work in the abyssal NSCS is primarily balanced by , which is negative integrated in the entire domain and serves as a sink to dissipate energy.…”

“…This is consistent with our findings, as well as a number of other observational and modeling studies in the SCS (Shu et al, 2016;Wang et al, 2019;H. Yang et al, 2013) and Gulf of Mexico (Maslo et al, 2020;Y. Yang et al, 2020), in which energy transfers due to instabilities are largely confined to the upper 1,000 m and pressure work dominates the energetics at depth.…”

Influence of Stratification and Yucatan Current Transport on the Loop Current Eddy Shedding Process

“…The result that 〈MAPE〉 dominates Bu e supports the idea that the dynamics of the LCS is highly related to the content of available potential energy. Nonetheless, it must be remembered that the LCS dynamics involves many different energy transfer processes spanning various temporal and spatial scales (Donohue et al., 2016; Maslo et al., 2020; Yang et al., 2020). Among all those processes, Yang et al.…”

“…The result that 〈MAPE〉 dominates Bu e supports the idea that the dynamics of the LCS is highly related to the content of available potential energy. Nonetheless, it must be remembered that the LCS dynamics involves many different energy transfer processes spanning various temporal and spatial scales (Donohue et al, 2016;Maslo et al, 2020;Yang et al, 2020). Among all those processes, Yang et al (2020) found that transfer from EAPE to EKE (via buoyancy conversion), and APE transfer from the background flow to mesoscale eddies (via baroclinic instabilities) in the deep eastern GoM basin (deeper than 1,000 m) constitute some of the most important processes in the upper mesoscale energy budget.…”

Mesoscale Dynamics and Eddy Heat Transport in the Japan/East Sea from 1990 to 2010: A Model-Based Analysis

“…Studies based on satellite altimetry have led to the conclusion that the central mechanism of the mesoscale dynamics' generation is associated with the instability of large-scale currents, in particular baroclinic instability [13]. This suggestion was entirely confirmed by studies of the mesoscale dynamics' generation based on high-resolution numerical modeling and EKE budget analysis in various regions of the World Ocean [11,12,14,15]. At the same time, there are World Ocean regions where the barotropic instability of large-scale currents plays a leading role in the mesoscale dynamics' generation [16,17].…”