1. The Vertical Structure of Turbulence Kinetic Energy Near the Arctic Sea‐Ice Surface.
- Author
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Peng, Shijie, Yang, Qinghua, Shupe, Matthew D., Han, Bo, Chen, Dake, and Liu, Changwei
- Subjects
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ATMOSPHERIC boundary layer , *ARCTIC climate , *KINETIC energy , *EDDY flux ,ARCTIC exploration - Abstract
Atmospheric turbulence over the Arctic sea‐ice surface has been understudied due to the lack of observational data. In this study, we focus on the turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) over sea ice and distinguish its two different vertical structures, the "Surface" type and the "Elevated" type, using observations during the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate expedition (MOSAiC). The "Surface" type has the maximum TKE near the surface (at 2 m), while the "Elevated" type has the maximum TKE at a higher level (6 m). The TKE budget analysis indicates that the "Elevated" type is caused by the increased shear production of TKE at 6 m. In addition, spectral analysis reveals that the contribution to TKE by horizontal large eddies is enhanced in the "Elevated" type. Finally, how the vertical structure of TKE affects the parameterization of turbulent momentum flux is discussed. Plain Language Summary: In recent years, the Arctic near‐surface temperature has increased at a rate that is 3–4 times faster than the global average, which has significant impacts on the global climate. Explaining this phenomenon and predicting future scenarios are urgently needed. Turbulent motions within the Arctic atmospheric boundary layer over the sea‐ice surface play an important role in determining near‐surface temperature variations, but these turbulent motions and their impacts are not thoroughly understood. To enhance our understanding of the turbulent characteristics of the Arctic boundary layer, the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) was conducted in the central Arctic and collected a wealth of data. Based on the MOSAiC observational data, we investigate the vertical structures of turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) in the surface layer and two different vertical structures of TKE are distinguished. We then compare the production of TKE between these two vertical structures. In addition, we evaluate the performance of parameterization schemes for momentum flux under different vertical TKE structures. Key Points: The vertical structures of turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) over the Arctic sea‐ice surface are investigated using MOSAiC dataBudget analysis and spectral analysis are used to analyze TKE vertical structures near the Arctic sea‐ice surfaceThe TKE vertical structures affect the performance of commonly used turbulence parameterizations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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