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Mixed layer depth climatology of the North Pacific based on Argo observations

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Abstract

A monthly mean climatology of the mixed layer depth (MLD) in the North Pacific has been produced by using Argo observations. The optimum method and parameter for evaluating the MLD from the Argo data are statistically determined. The MLD and its properties from each density profile were calculated with the method and parameter. The monthly mean climatology of the MLD is computed on a 2° × 2° grid with more than 30 profiles for each grid. Two bands of deep mixed layer with more than 200 m depth are found to the north and south of the Kuroshio Extension in the winter climatology, which cannot be reproduced in some previous climatologies. Early shoaling of the winter mixed layer between 20–30°N, which has been pointed out by previous studies, is also well recognized. A notable feature suggested by our climatology is that the deepest mixed layer tends to occur about one month before the mixed layer density peaks in the middle latitudes, especially in the western region, while they tend to coincide with each other in higher latitudes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8533, Japan

    Yuko Ohno, Naoto Iwasaka, Fumiaki Kobashi & Yoshiko Sato

  2. Kisarazu National College of Technology, Kiyomidaihigashi, Kisarazu-shi, Chiba, 292-0041, Japan

    Yuko Ohno

  3. Institute of Observational Research for Global Change, JAMSTEC, Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka-shi, Kanagawa, 237-0061, Japan

    Naoto Iwasaka

  4. Shinko Co. Ltd., Mimamishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 140-0004, Japan

    Yoshiko Sato

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  1. Yuko Ohno
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Correspondence to Naoto Iwasaka.

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Ohno, Y., Iwasaka, N., Kobashi, F. et al. Mixed layer depth climatology of the North Pacific based on Argo observations. J Oceanogr 65, 1–16 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-009-0001-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-009-0001-4

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