Seasonal variation of turbulent diapycnal mixing in the northwestern Pacific stirred by wind stress

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Abstract
Profiles of potential density obtained from CTD measurements along the northwestern Pacific section at 137°E are used to estimate both mean and seasonal variations of turbulent diapycnal mixing based on both a Thorpe‐scale method and a finescale parameterization method. In general, away from the bottom, the estimated mean value along this section is about O(10−4 m2/s), indicating much stronger mixing in the Northwestern Pacific than in the stratified mid‐latitude interior ocean. It is further found that the diffusivity can even exceed 10−4 m2/s around the rough topography. The turbulent diapycnal mixing in the upper ocean also displays a distinct seasonal variation with the amplitude decreasing with depth, bearing a statistically significant correlation with surface wind stress forcing. Our study here provides evidence for the important role of energy input from wind stress in sustaining the deep ocean mixing.

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