Seasonal variation of the global mixed layer depth: comparison between Argo data and FIO-ESM

doi:10.1007/s11707-017-0631-6

Front. Earth Sci.

2018, Vol. 12

Issue (1) : 24-36 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11707-017-0631-6

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Seasonal variation of the global mixed layer depth: comparison between Argo data and FIO-ESM

Yutong ZHANG¹, Haiming XU¹(

), Fangli QIAO³, Changming DONG²(

)

¹. College of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
². College of Marine Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
³. First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao 266061, China

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Abstract

The present study evaluates a simulation of the global ocean mixed layer depth (MLD) using the First Institute of Oceanography-Earth System Model (FIO-ESM). The seasonal variation of the global MLD from the FIO-ESM simulation is compared to Argo observational data. The Argo data show that the global ocean MLD has a strong seasonal variation with a deep MLD in winter and a shallow MLD in summer, while the spring and fall seasons act as transitional periods. Overall, the FIO-ESM simulation accurately captures the seasonal variation in MLD in most areas. It exhibits a better performance during summer and fall than during winter and spring. The simulated MLD in the Southern Hemisphere is much closer to observations than that in the Northern Hemisphere. In general, the simulated MLD over the South Atlantic Ocean matches the observation best among the six areas. Additionally, the model slightly underestimates the MLD in parts of the North Atlantic Ocean, and slightly overestimates the MLD over the other ocean basins.

Keywords mixed layer depth FIO-ESM model seasonal variation

Corresponding Author(s): Haiming XU,Changming DONG

Just Accepted Date: 16 March 2017 Online First Date: 06 April 2017 Issue Date: 23 January 2018

Cite this article:

Yutong ZHANG,Haiming XU,Fangli QIAO, et al. Seasonal variation of the global mixed layer depth: comparison between Argo data and FIO-ESM[J]. Front. Earth Sci., 2018, 12(1): 24-36.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fesci/EN/10.1007/s11707-017-0631-6
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fesci/EN/Y2018/V12/I1/24

Fig.1 Annual-mean MLD from FIO-ESM simulation and Argo data.

Tab.1 Spatial correlation coefficients between observed and simulated MLD in each season of each ocean basin

Fig.2 Seasonal variation in MLD distribution in FIO-ESM simulation and Argo observation in the North Pacific Ocean (100°E–70°W, 0°–60°N) in four seasons: spring (a?b), summer (c?d), fall (e?f), and winter (g?h).

Fig.3 Same as Fig. 2, except for the North Atlantic Ocean (70°W–24°E, 0°–60°N).

Fig.4 Same as Fig. 2, except for the North Indian Ocean (24°–100°E, 0°–30°N).

Fig.5 Same as Fig. 2, except for the South Atlantic Ocean (70°W–24°E, 0°–60°S).

Fig.6 Same as Fig. 2, except for the South Pacific Ocean (120°E–70°W, 0°–60°S).

Fig.7 Same as Fig. 2, except for the South Indian Ocean (24°–120°E, 0°–60°S).

Fig.8 Scatter diagram comparing model and observations in the six oceans in spring. (a: the North Pacific Ocean; b: the South Pacific Ocean; c: the North Atlantic Ocean; d: the South Atlantic Ocean; e: the North Indian Ocean; f: the South Indian Ocean).

Fig.9 Same as Fig. 8, except in summer.

Fig.10 Same as Fig. 8, except in fall.

Fig.11 Same as Fig. 8, except in winter.

Fig.12 Comparison of MLD deviation and relative errors in each season for the six oceans.

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