Scribd
Upload
27 views54 pages

Ocean Modeling Josephansong

Uploaded by

Rian Dani Tumanggor 2004112971
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
27 views54 pages

Ocean Modeling Josephansong

Uploaded by

Rian Dani Tumanggor 2004112971
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 54

INTRODUCTION TO OCEAN

MODELING
Joseph K. Ansong

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]


(University of Ghana)

COESSING-2018
OUTLINE
• INTRODUCTION

• MOTIVATION

• EQUATIONS OF MOTION

• EXAMPLES

• CHALLENGES
Introduction: Approaches to oceanic studies

Observational oceanography

Emily/Stephan et al.
Introduction: Approaches to oceanic studies

Satellite oceanography

Ebenezer et al.
Introduction: Approaches to oceanic studies

Chemical oceanography Hydrography/Coastal morphology

Winn et al. Stephan/Kwasi/Edem et al.


Angela et al.
Introduction: Approaches to oceanic studies

Laboratory tank
Experiments-
Emily/Stephan

Ansong & Sutherland,


2010, JFM, vol 648
Introduction: Approaches to oceanic studies

Ansong & Sutherland (2010), JFM, vol 648


Introduction: Approaches to oceanic studies

Ocean modeling
Riccardo/Brian/Dimitris/Joseph
What is an ocean model?
It is a representation, in the form of
equations/computer code,
describing physical processes of
our understanding of how the ocean
works.
-Dr. Stephenie Waterman
What is an ocean model?
Physical processes:
a) Ocean movement/dynamics, including
horizontal and vertical advection

b) Exchange of energy between the ocean and


external sources (radiation, precipitation,
evaporation, river-runoff, wind, etc)

c) 3D mixing and dissipation processes


QUESTION

Why do we need ocean modeling


when we have alternative means?
Motivation: Why model the ocean?
Motivation: Why model the ocean?

• Comparatively less expensive

• Higher spatial/temporal resolution compared to


other methods:
– Satellites provide only surface data, and
– In-situ measurement are limited in spatial coverage

• Ability to forecast (e.g. SST, SSH, and positions


of major fronts and eddies)
Motivation: Why model the ocean?
www.hycom.org
Motivation: Why model the ocean?
Motivation: Why model the ocean?

www.hycom.org
Motivation: Why model the ocean?
Understanding the 3D dynamics of the ocean on a
GLOBAL scale.

MacKinnon et al, 2017


Motivation: not a competition

?
Prof. Modeller
Motivation: global ocean
currents
Internal gravity waves

Generation of Internal gravity waves by sinusoidal hills


(Prof. Bruce Sutherland)
Motivation: internal waves

Courtesy: Max-Planck institute of Ocean modeling


Where/how do I start
learning ocean modeling?
Definition: ocean model
It is a representation, in the form of
equations/computer code,
describing physical processes of
our understanding of how the ocean
works.
-Dr. Stephenie Waterman
Equations of motion
• Start ocean modeling by understanding
the equations of fluid flow (Navier-Stokes
equations).

• Learn how to discretize the equations

• Understand some numerical analysis


• Others…
Equations of motion:
  
Du  1 ρ 
+ 2Ω × u = − ∇p + g + F
Dt ρo ρo
acceleration Rotation Presure buoyancy Others
(local + gradient (frictional,
advective) Tides,
Winds, etc)

where (u=[u,v,w]) are velocity components, Ω is the


earth’s rotation rate, p is the pressure, ρ the density,
and g gravity.
Continuity equation
(Conservation of volume)

¶u ¶v ¶w
+ + =0
¶x ¶y ¶z
Equation for tracers (Temperature, Salinity, and others),

Advection-diffusion equation:

¶T r
c
+ u ×ÑT = kT c Ñ T
c 2 c

¶t
T c = Tracers
Equation of state (Linear)

r = r0 [1 - a (T - T0 ) + b (S- S0 )]

r0 = 1028 kg / m 3
coefficients of thermal , a ,
T0 = 10 C = 283K
o
and saline contraction, b
S0 = 35 psu

Where T is temperature and S is salinity.


Equations of motions
7 equations in 7 unknowns:

• {u,v,w} – 3 velocity components


• T – Temperature
• S – Salinity
• Density
• P – Pressure
Now that I understand the
equations, what next?
A.Discretize equations
Now that I understand the
B. Consider the horizontal grid
equations, what next?
C. Consider the vertical grid

D. Boundary conditions
Discretize equations
• Continuous equations

algebraic equations
(discrete set of operations)

• Discretization methods:
– Finite difference methods
– Finite element methods
– Finite volume methods Example early model grid by
Lewis Fry Richardson (1928)
Model grid: horizontal
• Regular grids: regularly
spaced lines

• possible in a small domain


Model grid: horizontal
• Regular grids: regularly
spaced lines
• On a spherical earth can’t
have both uniform grid
spacing and straight lines
• Regular lat/lon grids have
a problem at the poles
where grid lines converge
Model grid: horizontal

GHANA
Regional grid
Clever solution: tripolar grid
-circular grid laid over Arctic region with poles on land
Model grid: vertical
• z-coordinate system
based on a series of
depth levels. Easy to
setup. Difficult to locally
increase resolution.
• terrain-following
coordinate system.
Mimics bathymetry and
allows higher resolution
near ocean floor.
Model grid: vertical
• density (isopycnal)-
coordinate system
based on density
layers. Great in the
deep ocean where
there’s less diapycnal
mixing. Poor in
regions with high
vertical mixing.
Model grid: vertical
• hybrid-coordinate
applies the best
suited coordinate
system in different
regions. Gives
improved results but
at a high
computational cost.
Boundary conditions
• Free surface
– Flux exchanges at surface: momentum and tracer
(winds, solar radiation, rainfall, precipitation, etc).

• Ocean bottom
– Topography/bathymetry
– Velocity normal to bottom is zero
– Lateral boundaries (open/closed)

• Flow normal to solid boundary is zero


Modeling: summary
• Complex differential equations
SURFACE FORCING

• Set of algebraic equations

Boundary conditions
• Step-by-step method of

Boundary conditions
solution
(model time stepping) EQUATIONS

at selected points in space


(model spatial grid)

It takes years to develop a good Bottom boundary


ocean model!
Ocean models

• MOM (The Modular Ocean Model: http://mom-


ocean.org/web )

• POM (The Princeton Ocean Model:


http://www.ccpo.odu.edu/POMWEB/ )

• POP (The Parallel Ocean Program:


http://www.cesm.ucar.edu/models/cesm1.0/pop2
/)
Ocean models
• MITgcm (MIT general circulation model:
http://mitgcm.org/ )

• HYCOM (The Hybrid Coordinate Ocean


Model : https://hycom.org/ )

• ROMS (Regional Ocean Modeling


System: www.myroms.org )
Examples
Regional Modeling
Regional Modeling
Operational Guidelines:

1. Choose a domain and resolution.


2. Build a bathymetry.
3. Interpolate atmospheric forcing to the domain.
4. Choose vertical structure
5. Interpolate T/S climatology to the model domain
6. Run the simulation.
7. Plot and analyze results.
Regional Modeling
•
1/4th degree, ~ 28 km
32 vertical layers

Etopo5: http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/global/etopo5.HTML
Results: Tides
Results: tidal time series

Challenge: compare to tide-gauge data (Takoradi/Tema)


Challenges to ocean modeling

What are some challenges?


Challenges to ocean modeling
1. Variable spatial/temporal scales
Challenges to ocean modeling
2. Coupling the Atmosphere to the Ocean Antonio Navarra
Challenges to ocean modeling

3. Complex topography and lateral


boundaries

4. Few observational measurements for


validation
-most available data are confined to upper
ocean
5. Availability of computational power
QUESTIONS?

You might also like