Motions with near-inertial frequency dominate upper ocean shear and substantially contribute to upper ocean turbulence. However, many features of their generation, evolution, and decay remain unconstrained. Time-variable wind stress generates currents at or close to the local inertial frequency. Some of this energy is lost to shear-driven turbulence at the mixed-layer base, while some has been observed to radiate downwards and laterally in the form of propagating low mode near-inertial internal waves (NIWs). The generation and evolution of high-mode NIWs, with their associated shear and turbulence is poorly understood.
Recent theoretical, numerical and observational studies have pointed to a potentially prominent role for NIW interaction with mesoscale and submesoscale features. Mesoscale and submesoscale vorticity, strain, and shear may play a role in NIW propagation, evolution, refraction, dissipation, and energetics more generally. NISKINE will involve a synthesis of both ship-based and autonomous-platform based observational work, numerical studies and theoretical analysis to investigate NIW generation, evolution, and dissipation in the upper ocean over inertial to seasonal timescales. The target observational area will be the North Atlantic, north of the Gulf Stream/N. Atlantic Current, a region of with enhanced mesoscale ocean variability and strong atmospheric forcing.
role: local point of contact and collaborator
website: https://www.onr.navy.mil/en/Science-Technology/Departments/Code-32/All-Programs/Atmosphere-Research-322/physical-oceanography/NISKINE-DRI
Recent theoretical, numerical and observational studies have pointed to a potentially prominent role for NIW interaction with mesoscale and submesoscale features. Mesoscale and submesoscale vorticity, strain, and shear may play a role in NIW propagation, evolution, refraction, dissipation, and energetics more generally. NISKINE will involve a synthesis of both ship-based and autonomous-platform based observational work, numerical studies and theoretical analysis to investigate NIW generation, evolution, and dissipation in the upper ocean over inertial to seasonal timescales. The target observational area will be the North Atlantic, north of the Gulf Stream/N. Atlantic Current, a region of with enhanced mesoscale ocean variability and strong atmospheric forcing.
role: local point of contact and collaborator
website: https://www.onr.navy.mil/en/Science-Technology/Departments/Code-32/All-Programs/Atmosphere-Research-322/physical-oceanography/NISKINE-DRI