The oceanic mixed layer is a region of intense mixing, where turbulence homogenizes vertical temperature and salinity distributions down to depths of O(100) m. Below the mixed layer, in the upper layers of the stratified thermocline, turbulent energy levels are greatly reduced. The transition between these two regions is the focus of this investigation. Traditionally, this transition is assumed to take place abruptly at the mixed-layer base. However, observations suggest that enhanced turbulence penetrates significantly into the stratified water below the mixed layer. Here, I present an examination of existing turbulence data documenting open ocean conditions with steady wind forcing in both the sub-tropical Atlantic and Pacific. These data will allow for direct estimates of diffusivity and diapycnal flux occurring in the mixed layer/thermocline transition layer. This analysis establishes statistics for turbulence dissipation levels occurring just below the well-mixed layer, which have not been previously documented. My investigation suggests that while the transition layer thickness can vary considerably (from O(10) to O(100) m for my data), the diabatic fluxes in this region, as measured by the turbulent dissipation rate, are 4-8 times greater than in the thermocline under typical surface forcing conditions. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Oceanography in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of
Science. / Summer Semester, 2010. / April 29, 2010. / Dissipation, One-dimensional Models, Turbulence, Transition Layer, Surface Ocean / Includes bibliographical references. / Carol Anne Clayson, Professor Directing Thesis; Louis St. Laurent, Committee Member; William K. Dewar, Committee Member; Philip N. Froelich, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_254028 |
| Contributors | Rahter, Bryan (authoraut), Clayson, Carol Anne (professor directing thesis), Laurent, Louis St. (committee member), Dewar, William K. (committee member), Froelich, Philip N. (committee member), Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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