Ocean Mixing

The stratified ocean mixes episodically in small patches where energy is dissipated and density smoothed over scales of centimeters. The net effect of these countless events effects the shape of the ocean's thermocline, how heat is transported from the sea surface to the interior, and how dense bottom water is lifted into the global overturning circulation. This book explores the primary factors affecting mixing, beginning with the thermodynamics of seawater, how they vary in the ocean and how they depend on the physical properties of seawater. Turbulence and double diffusion are then discussed, which determines how mixing evolves and the different impacts it has on velocity, temperature, and salinity. It reviews insights from both laboratory studies and numerical modelling, emphasising the assumptions and limitations of these methods. This is an excellent reference for researchers and graduate students working to advance our understanding of mixing, including oceanographers, atmospheric scientists and limnologists.

• Presents thorough background information on ocean mixing including relevant properties of seawater, thermodynamics, turbulence, double diffusion and internal waves
• Describes the central role of observations in studying mixing, examines their limitations and suggests potential areas for improvement
• Numerous observations are presented to illustrate mixing levels and processes in the stratified ocean, including global summaries