Abstract
Based on the equations of motion and the assumption that ocean turbulence is of isotropy or quasi-isotropy, we derived the closure equations of the second-order moments and the variation equations for characteristic quantities, which describe the mechanisms of advection transport and shear instability by the sum of wave-like and eddy-like motions and circulation. Given that ocean turbulence generated by wave breaking is dominant at the ocean surface, we presented the boundary conditions of the turbulence kinetic energy and its dissipation rate, which are determined by energy loss from wave breaking and entrainment depth respectively. According to the equilibrium solution of the variation equations and available data of the dissipation rate, we obtained an analytical estimation of the characteristic quantities of surface-wave-generated turbulence in the upper ocean and its related mixing coefficient. The derived kinetic dissipation rate was validated by field measurements qualitatively and quantitatively, and the mixing coefficient had fairly good consistency with previous results based on the Prandtl mixing length theory.
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Yuan, Y., Qiao, F., Yin, X. et al. Analytical estimation of mixing coefficient induced by surface wave-generated turbulence based on the equilibrium solution of the second-order turbulence closure model. Sci. China Earth Sci. 56, 71–80 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-012-4517-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-012-4517-x