The goal is to compute the total/annual subduction rate of mode water. For this computation, we need horizontal currents (u,v) and vertical currents (w) at the base of the mixed layer when the mixed layer is deepest (climatologically). I have Argo data of globally gridded temperature and salinity for 0-2000 m depth. So how to compute the horizontal and vertical current to compute the subduction rate?
The formula and explanation are attached in the image but the re no information about the computation of ocean current u,v,w at the base of mixed layer.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Saurabh,
Horizontal currents (u,v) can be computed from the thermal wind equations using the temperature and salinity from Argo data. Normally, we will assume a level of no motion at 2000 m depth (or depends on your data). The vertical current (w) is assumed by the Ekman velocity calculated from wind stress data.
Best,
Baolan
Better than having to assume the level of no motion you can use the ANDRO dataset which provide a reference at 1000m. I've done this same computation of subduction sing ARGO gridded product, the reference is here. Article Interior Water-Mass Variability in the Southern Hemisphere O...
You'll find in this paper the links to the ANDRO reference data .
After having computed the velocity field, of course you need to compute the MLbase, then to find the velocities on the ML base.
To compute the vertical velicty you use Ekman pumping as an approximation
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