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| Titel |
On the porosity of barrier layers |
| VerfasserIn |
J. Mignot, C. Boyer Montégut, M. Tomczak |
| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
Englisch
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| ISSN |
1812-0784
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| Digitales Dokument |
URL |
| Erschienen |
In: Ocean Science ; 5, no. 3 ; Nr. 5, no. 3 (2009-09-28), S.379-387 |
| Datensatznummer |
250002585
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| Publikation (Nr.) |
 copernicus.org/os-5-379-2009.pdf |
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| Zusammenfassung |
| Barrier layers are defined as the layer between the pycnocline and the
thermocline when the latter are different as a result of salinity stratification.
We present a revisited 2-degree resolution global climatology of monthly
mean oceanic Barrier Layer (BL) thickness first proposed by de Boyer Montégut et al. (2007).
In addition to using an extended data set, we present a
modified computation method that addresses the observed
porosity of BLs. We name porosity the fact that
barrier layers distribution can, in some areas, be very uneven regarding the space
and time scales that are considered. This implies an
intermittent alteration of air-sea exchanges by the BL. Therefore, it
may have important consequences for the climatic impact of BLs. Differences between the two
computation methods are small for robust BLs that are formed by large-scale
processes. However, the former approach can significantly underestimate
the thickness of short and/or localized barrier layers. This is
especially the case for barrier layers formed by mesoscale
mechanisms (under the intertropical convergence zone for example and
along western boundary currents) and equatorward of the sea surface
salinity subtropical maxima. Complete characterisation of regional BL dynamics therefore
requires a description of the robustness of BL distribution to assess
the overall impact of BLs on the process of heat exchange between
the ocean interior and the atmosphere. |
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