Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Importance of eddy representation for modeling the intermediate salinity minimum in the North Pacific: Comparison between eddy-resolving and eddy-permitting models

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
Journal of Oceanography Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In order to confirm the results of the authors’ previous work, which found that the existence of disturbances smaller than meso-scale eddies is important in large-scale mixing process between the Oyashio and Kuroshio waters in the intermediate layer, the results of an eddy-resolving model experiment are analyzed and compared with those of an eddy-permitting model. The intermediate salinity minimum given in the initial condition weakens as integration advances in the eddy-permitting model, while it recovers rapidly and is maintained thereafter in the eddy-resolving model, initialized from the unrealistic salinity distribution of the former. Filament-like fine structures in temperature and salinity develop actively in the latter, which are much smaller in horizontal width than meso-scale eddies, suggesting the importance of such disturbances in the large-scale mixing. The mixing ratio of the Oyashio water defined by the original Oyashio and Kuroshio waters shows that its value is generally higher in the intermediate lower sub-layer than in the intermediate upper sub-layer in the Mixed Water Region, and the salinity minimum exists between layers with low and high values of the mixing ratio with its strong vertical gradient. The eddy transports of the Oyashio and Kuroshio waters in an isopycnal layer are divided into four components, usual isopycnal mixing of temperature and salinity being dominant, followed by the component associated with the thickness flux. The southward eddy transport of the Oyashio water and the northward eddy transport of the Kuroshio water are not symmetric to each other because the thickness-flux-associated components are in the same direction (southward).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Antonov, J. L., S. Levitus, T. P. Boyer, M. E. Conkright, T. D. O’Brien and C. Stephens (1998): World Ocean Atlas 1998 Vol. 1: Temperature of the Atlantic Ocean. NOAA Atlas NESDIS 27, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gent, P. R. and J. McWilliams (1990): Isopycnal mixing in ocean general circulation models. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 20, 150–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gent, P. R., T. Willebrand, T. McDougall and J. McWilliams (1995): Parameterizing eddy-induced tracer transports in ocean circulation models. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 25, 463–474.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffies, S. M. and R. Hallberg (2000): Biharmonic friction with a Smagorinsky-like viscosity for use in large-scale eddy-permitting ocean models. Mon. Wea. Rev., 128, 2935–2946.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hasunuma, K. (1978): Formation of the intermediate salinity minimum in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Bull. Ocean. Res. Inst., Univ. of Tokyo, 9, 1–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hiroe, Y., I, Yasuda, K. Komatsu, K. Kawasaki, T. M. Joyce and F. Bahr (2002): Transport of the North Pacific Intermediate Water in the Kuroshio-Oyashio Interfrontal zone. Deep-Sea Res. II, 49, 5353–5364.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunke, E. C. and J. K. Dukowicz (1997): An elastic-viscous-plastic model for sea ice dynamics. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 27, 1849–1867.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunke, E. C. and J. K. Dukowicz (2002): The elastic-viscousplastic dynamic model in general orthogonal curvilinear coordinates on a sphere—incorporation of metric terms. Mon. Wea. Rev., 130, 1848–1865.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ishikawa, I., H. Tsujino, M. Hirabara, H. Nakano, T. Yasuda and H. Ishizaki (2005): Meteorological Research Institute Community Ocean Model (MRI.COM) manual. Tech. Rep. Meteorol. Res. Inst., 47, 1–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishizaki, H. (1994): A simulation of the abyssal circulation in the North Pacific Ocean. Part II: Theoretical rationale. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 24, 1941–1954.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ishizaki, H. and I. Ishikawa (2004): Simulation of formation and spreading of salinity minimum associated with NPIW using a high-resolution model. J. Oceanogr., 60, 463–485.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ishizaki, H. and T. Motoi (1999): Reevaluation of Takano-Oonishi scheme for momentum advection on bottom relief in ocean models. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 16, 1994–2010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanamitsu, M., W. Ebisuzaki, J. Woollen, S.-K. Yang, J. J. Hnilo, M. Fiorino and G. L. Potter (2002): NCEP-DOE AMIP II reanalysis (R-2). Bull. Amer. Meteorol. Soc., 83, 1631–1643.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kara, A. B., P. A. Rochfort and H. E. Hurlburt (2000): Efficient and accurate bulk parameterization of air-sea fluxes for use in general circulation models. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 17, 1421–1438.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kawai, H. (1972): Hydrography of the Kuroshio and the Oyashio. p. 129–320. In Physical Oceanography II, Fundamental Lectures of Oceanography, ed. by M. Iwashita et al., Tokai University Press, Japan (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kobayashi, T. (1999): Study of the formation of North Pacific Intermediate Water by a general circulation model and the particle-tracking method 1. A pitfall of general circulation model studies. J. Geophys. Res., 104, 5423–5439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kobayashi, T. (2000): Study of the formation of North Pacific Intermediate Water by a general circulation model and the particle-tracking method 2. Formation mechanism of salinity minimum from the view of the “critical gradient” of the Oyashio mixing ratio. J. Geophys. Res., 105, 1055–1069.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kono, T. (1997): Modification of the Oyashio Water in the Hokkaido and Tohoku areas. Deep-Sea Res. I, 44, 669–688.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kono, T. (1998): Formation of the salinity minimum in the Mixed Water Region between the Oyashio and Kuroshio Fronts. Deep-Sea Res. I, 45, 2035–2057.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kouketsu, S., I. Yasuda and Y. Hiroe (2005): Observation of frontal waves and associated salinity minimum formation along the Kuroshio Extension. J. Geophys. Res., 110, 1–13, doi:10.1029/2004JC002862.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kouketsu, S., I. Yasuda and Y. Hiroe (2007): Three-dimensional structure of frontal waves and associated salinity minimum formation along the Kuroshio Extension. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 37, 644–656.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuragano, T. and M. Kamachi (2000): Global statistical spacetime scales of oceanic variability estimated from the TOPWX/POSEIDON altimeter data. J. Geophys. Res., 105, 955–974.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M.-M., A. J. George, A. C. Coward and B. A. De Cuevas (2007): Eddy advective and diffusive transport of heat and salt in the Southern Ocean. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 37, 1376–1393.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leonard, B. P. (1979): A stable and accurate convective modeling procedure based upon quadratic upstream interpolation. J. Compt. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng., 19, 59–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leonard, B. P., M. K. MacVean and A. P. Lock (1994): The flux integral method for multidimensional convection and diffusion. NASA Tech. Memo., 106679, 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masujima, M., I. Yasuda, Y. Hiroe and T. Watanabe (2003): Transport of Oyashio water across the Subarctic Front into the Mixed Water Region and formation of NPIW. J. Oceanogr., 59, 855–869.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mellor, G. L. and L. Kantha (1989): An ice-ocean coupled model. J. Geophys. Res., 94, 10937–10954.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura, T., T. Toyoda, T. Awaji and Y. Ishikawa (2004): Tidal mixing in the Kuril Straits and its impact on ventilation in the North Pacific Ocean. J. Oceanogr., 60, 411–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakano, H., H. Tsujino and R. Furue (2008): The Kuroshio current system as a jet and twin “ relative” recirculation gyres embedded in the Sverdrup circulation. Dyn. Atmos. Oceans, 45, 135–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niiler, P. P., N. A. Maximenko and J. C. McWilliams (2003): Dynamically balanced absolute sea level of the global ocean derived from near-surface velocity observations. Geophys. Res. Lett., 30, doi: 10.1029/2003GL018628.

  • Okuda, K., K. Segawa and Y. Hiroe (1995): Observational study in the region of the Kuroshio Extension. J-WOCE Report, 187–204, Japan Science Tech. Agency (in Japanese).

  • Okuda, K., I. Yasuda, Y. Hiroe and Y. Shimizu (2001): Structure of subsurface intrusion of the Oyashio Water into the Kuroshio Extension and formation process of the North Pacific Intermediate Water. J. Oceanogr., 57, 121–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shimizu, Y., I. Yasuda, K. Okuda, K. Hanawa and S. Ito (2003): ADCP-referenced Kuroshio and Oyashio water transports for North Pacific Intermediate Water formation. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 33, 220–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • St. Laurent, L., H. L. Simmons and S. R. Jayne (2002): Estimating tidally driven mixing in the deep ocean. Geophys. Res. Lett., 29, 475–501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Talley, L. D. (1993): Distribution and formation of North Pacific Intermediate Water. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 23, 517–537.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Talley, L. D., Y. Nagata, M. Fujimura, T. Iwao, T. Kono, D. Inagake, M. Hitai and K. Okuda (1995): North Pacific Intermediate Water in the Kuroshio/Oyashio mixed water region. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 25, 475–501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tatebe, H. and I. Yasuda (2004): Oyashio southward intrusion and cross-gyre transport related to diapycnal upwelling in the Okhotsk Sea. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 34, 2327–2341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uchida, H. and S. Imawaki (2003): Eulerian mean velocity field derived by combining drifter and satellite altimeter data. Geophys. Res. Lett., 30(5), 1229, doi:10.1029/2002GL016445.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamanaka, G., Y. Kitamura and M. Endoh (1998a): Formation of North Pacific Intermediate Water in Meteorological Research Institute ocean general circulation model 1. Subgridscale mixing and marginal sea fresh water. J. Geophys. Res., 103, 30885–30903.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamanaka, G., Y. Kitamura and M. Endoh (1998b): Formation of North Pacific Intermediate Water in Meteorological Research Institute ocean general circulation model. Transient tracer experiment. J. Geophys. Res., 103, 30905–30921.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yasuda, I. (1997): The origin of the North Pacific Intermediate Water. J. Geophys. Res., 102, 893–909.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yasuda, I., K. Okuda and Y. Shimizu (1996): Distribution and modification of North Pacific Intermediate Water in the Kuroshio-Oyashio Interfrontal Zone. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 26, 448–465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yasuda, I., Y. Hiroe, K. Komatsu, K. Kawasaki, T. M. Joyce, F. Bahr and Y. Kawasaki (2001): Hydrographic structure and transport of the Oyashio south of Hokkaido and the formation of the North Pacific Intermediate Water. J. Geophys. Res., 106, 6931–6942.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoshinari, H., I. Yasuda, S. Ito, E. Firing, Y. Matsuo, O. Katoh and Y. Shimizu (2001): Meridional transport of the North Pacific Intermediate Water in the Kuroshio-Oyashio interfrontal zone. Geophys. Res. Lett., 28, 3445–3448.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • You, Y. (2003): Implication of cabbeling on the formation and transformation mechanism of North Pacific Intermediate Water. J. Geophys. Res., 108, 3134, doi:10.1029/2001JC001285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • You, Y., N. Suginohara, M. Fukasawa, H. Yoritaka, K. Mizuno, Y. Kashino and D. Hartoyo (2003): Transport of North Pacific Intermediate Water across Japanese WOCE sections. J. Geophys. Res., 108, 3196, doi: 10.1029/2002JC001662.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Japan Meteorological Agency, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-8122, Japan

    Ichiro Ishikawa

  2. Meteorological Research Institute, Nagamine, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0052, Japan

    Hiroshi Ishizaki

Authors
  1. Ichiro Ishikawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hiroshi Ishizaki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hiroshi Ishizaki.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ishikawa, I., Ishizaki, H. Importance of eddy representation for modeling the intermediate salinity minimum in the North Pacific: Comparison between eddy-resolving and eddy-permitting models. J Oceanogr 65, 407–426 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-009-0036-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-009-0036-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation