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An ocean circulation model based on Eulerian forward-backward difference scheme and three-dimensional, primitive equations and its application in regional simulations

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Abstract

A two-time-level, three-dimensional numerical ocean circulation model is established with a two-level, single-step Eulerian time-difference scheme. The mathematical model of the large-scale oceanic motions is based on the terrain-following coordinated, Boussinesq, Reynolds-averaged primitive equations of ocean dynamics. A simple but very practical Eulerian forward-backward method is adopted to replace the most preferred leapfrog scheme as the time-difference method for both barotropic and baroclinic modes. The forward-backward method is of the second order of accuracy, requires only once of the function evaluation per time step, and is free of the computational mode inherent in the three-level schemes. It is superior in many respects to the original leapfrog and Asselin-filtered leapfrog schemes in the practical use. The performance of the newly-built circulation model is tested by simulating a barotropic (tides in marginal seas of China) and a baroclinic phenomenon (seasonal evolution of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass), respectively. The three-year time histories of four prognostic variables obtained by the POM model and the two-time-level model are compared in a regional simulation experiment for the northwest Pacific to further show the reliability of the two-level scheme circulation model.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Oceanography, China Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China

    Lei Han  (韩磊)

  2. First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao, 266061, China

    Lei Han  (韩磊) & Ye-li Yuan  (袁业立)

Authors
  1. Lei Han  (韩磊)
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  2. Ye-li Yuan  (袁业立)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lei Han  (韩磊).

Additional information

Project supported by the National Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40906017, 41376038), the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program, Grant No. 2013AA09A506).

Biography: HAN Lei (1981-), Male, Ph. D. Senior Engineer

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Han, L., Yuan, Yl. An ocean circulation model based on Eulerian forward-backward difference scheme and three-dimensional, primitive equations and its application in regional simulations. J Hydrodyn 26, 37–49 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-6058(14)60005-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-6058(14)60005-6

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