The thesis examines the principal air-sea properties at Ocean
Station Vessel N (30N 140W). In a descriptive section, meteorological
and oceanographic data for N are analyzed over 20 years (1951-1970)
and 7 years (1964-1970), respectively. A rainfall estimate is constructed
for the 20 year period. The yearly average rainfall is 22
centimeters, far less than current estimates. Daily and seasonal
variations are presented. Heat budgets of the surface show that the
two decades are distinctly different. Anomalies of the 20 years of all
meteorological variables are calculated. The pressure anomaly
appears to be loosely correlated with anomalous large scale events
in the equatorial dry zone. Time series cross-sections are shown of
the mixed layer depth, bottle temperature and salinity. The near
surface density appears to be largely controlled by temperature.
Surface wind speed, air pressure, sea temperature, air
temperature and dew point spectra for a 10-year period (1961-1970)
are shown in a spectral section. Spectra are computed separately for
the 4 seasons. Rotary spectra for the wind are also calculated.
In a discussion of mixed layer dynamics, theoretical calculations
indicate that salinity is not a significant factor in the Eastern subtropics.
In a final section, Denman's mixed layer model is applied to two
cases of data from N. It is found that Denman's model describes the
local mixed layer changes in the one case where advective effects
could be resolved. It is suggested that mixed layer extinction lengths
for sunlight are shorter than previously believed--about 5 meters.
Denman's mixed layer model appears applicable to local changes in
the Eastern subtropics. / Graduation date: 1974
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/28747 |
| Date | 11 January 1974 |
| Creators | Dorman, Clive Edgar |
| Contributors | Paulson, Clayton A. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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