Interacting internal waves explain global patterns of interior ocean mixing

Giovanni Dematteis (), Arnaud Le Boyer, Friederike Pollmann, Kurt L. Polzin, Matthew H. Alford, Caitlin B. Whalen and Yuri V. Lvov
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Giovanni Dematteis: Università degli Studi di Torino
Arnaud Le Boyer: University of California San Diego
Friederike Pollmann: Universität Hamburg
Kurt L. Polzin: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Matthew H. Alford: University of California San Diego
Caitlin B. Whalen: University of Washington
Yuri V. Lvov: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Across the stable density stratification of the abyssal ocean, deep dense water is slowly propelled upward by sustained, though irregular, turbulent mixing. The resulting mean upwelling determines large-scale oceanic circulation properties like heat and carbon transport. In the ocean interior, this turbulent mixing is caused mainly by breaking internal waves: generated predominantly by winds and tides, these waves interact nonlinearly, transferring energy downscale, and finally become unstable, break and mix the water column. This paradigm, long parameterized heuristically, still lacks full theoretical explanation. Here, we close this gap using wave-wave interaction theory with input from both localized and global observations. We find near-ubiquitous agreement between first-principle predictions and observed mixing patterns in the global ocean interior. Our findings lay the foundations for a wave-driven mixing parameterization for ocean general circulation models that is entirely physics-based, which is key to reliably represent future climate states that could differ substantially from today’s.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51503-6

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