What is Responsible for the Variance Observed in the Structure of the Data?

The CTD Data Set

ADCP Data Set

Methods of Determining Length Scales Autocovariance / Autocorrelation Structure Function Integral Length Scale ADCP Covariance of U and V velocity

Internal Gravity Waves – do we need to consider them? light Z

Variations on a Pressure Surface

Variations on a Density Surface (removes isobaric processes)

Autocorrelation gives a measure of the length scale Autocorrelation gives a measure of the length scale. The quicker the autocorrelation function falls off, the smaller the length scale.

What is the Structure Function?

Integral Length Scale The sum of the Normalized autocorrelation function

≈160km

Conclusions This analysis does not lend itself to determining exact causes of variations, however; scales can be determined. Seasonal Thermocline variations appear to be dominated by mesoscale processes. We could have resolved the major length scales at varying levels with a smaller length cross section (200km instead of 450km) Based on the length scales involved, we probably don’t have to account for smaller scale mixing processes in this area. Large internal gravity waves or submesoscale coherent vortices may be present, but the length scales are fairly indicative of mesoscale eddies.

QUESTIONS