Superparameterization of Oceanic Boundary Layer Transport

One of the most difficult processes which limit our ability to generate realistic, high-resolution simulations of the ocean state is intermittent nature of oceanic turbulence related to the presence of coherent structures at wide range of scales when simple parameterizations based on eddy diffusion concepts do not necessarily provide the correct answer. The coherent vortices have life-times in excess of the appropriate eddy turnover time. This clearly contradicts the notion underlying the dimensional analysis of the turbulent cascade. It is necessary first to understand the transport of momentum and heat due to coherent vortices in order to properly parameterize it in ocean circulation models. That is a main goal of our study.