Effects of vertical mixing parameterization on the mixed layer depth over the North Pacific in a global OGCM

Abstract

We present MLD variability over the North Pacific Ocean in a global ocean general circulation model and impacts of three different vertical mixing schemes on it, based on statistical measures (annual mean difference, root-mean-square difference and correlation coefficient). The constant vertical mixing scheme tends to underestimate MLD over the whole basin. The Pacanowski-Philander scheme tends to overestimate MLD (> 20 m) in the mid- to high latitude during summer, implying that vertical mixing in the mid- to high latitude may not be represented properly by simple internal mixing mechanisms such as stratification or vertical shear of horizontal velocity. On the other hand, the new vertical mixing scheme (Noh et al. 2002) gives the most consistent MLD and its seasonal and spatial variability when compared with observation. These results suggest that parameterization of vertical mixing has significant effects on simulation of the seasonal and spatial variability of MLD over the North Pacific Ocean. © 2009 Korea Ocean Research & Development Institute (KORDI) and the Korean Society of Oceanography (KSO) and Springer Netherlands.