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Spatially-Varying and Coherent Structures

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The Near-Surface Layer of the Ocean

Part of the book series: Atmospheric and Oceanographic Sciences Library ((ATSL,volume 48))

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Abstract

This chapter is devoted to the theory and observation of coherent structures in the near-surface layer of the ocean. The upper ocean boundary layer is turbulent but not completely random. The phenomenon of self-organization occurs in a variety of nonlinear dissipative systems. Spatially coherent, organized motions have been recognized as an important part of turbulent boundary-layer processes.These motions provide nonlocal transport of properties across the boundary layer. Spirals on the sea surface and sharp frontal interfaces are intriguing examples of self-organization. Other types of quasiperiodic structures in the near-surface ocean, such as freshwater lenses produced by rainfalls, may have distinct signatures in the sea surface temperature field. Due to the presence of surface gravity waves, the Ekman boundary layer is unstable to helical motions (Langmuir cells). Ramp-like structures are a common feature of boundary-layer flows; they are, however, oriented perpendicular to the wind direction, while Langmuir cells are roughly aligned with the wind. Internal waves, resonant interactions between surface and internal modes, billows in the diurnal thermocline, and convection also produce organized motions in the upper ocean under certain conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, Dania Beach, Florida, USA

    Alexander Soloviev

  2. Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

    Roger Lukas

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  1. Alexander Soloviev
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Soloviev, A., Lukas, R. (2014). Spatially-Varying and Coherent Structures. In: The Near-Surface Layer of the Ocean. Atmospheric and Oceanographic Sciences Library, vol 48. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7621-0_5

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