The evolution of temperature and salinity fields in a global ocean model

Abstract

A three dimensional Ocean General Circulation Model in stretched coordinate with zoom capability over an area of interest has been used to study the evolution of the meridional and vertical structure of temperature, salinity and density of the ocean. In this study 9 discrete vertical levels with flat bottom topography and horizontal resolution of 2.5° (N-S) x 5° (E-W) has been considered. The lateral boundaries are set at 30°S and 30°N for the channel ocean surrounding the earth. The model simulation run is forced by analytic wind stress, heat and salinity fluxes from initial steady state to a stable state of ocean. For the final steady state, the longitudinal average of above fields are taken at all the levels. Finally best fit relations have been obtained from their latitudinal and vertical variation.