This paper introduces an energy-preserving stochastic model for studying wave effects on currents in the ocean mixing layer. The model is called stochastic forcing by Lie transport (SFLT). The SFLT model is derived here from a stochastic constrained variational principle, so it has a Kelvin circulation theorem. The examples of SFLT given here treat 3D Euler fluid flow, rotating shallow water dynamics, and the Euler–Boussinesq equations. In each example, one sees the effect of stochastic Stokes drift and material entrainment in the generation of fluid circulation. We also present an Eulerian averaged SFLT model based on decomposing the Eulerian solutions of the energy-conserving SFLT model into sums of their expectations and fluctuations.

We present a numerical investigation into the stochastic parameterisations of the Primitive Equations (PE) using the Stochastic Advection by Lie Transport (SALT) and Stochastic Forcing by Lie Transport (SFLT) frameworks. These frameworks were chosen due to their structure-preserving introduction of stochasticity, which decomposes the transport velocity and fluid momentum into their drift and stochastic parts, respectively. In this paper, we develop a new calibration methodology to implement the momentum decomposition of SFLT and compare with the Lagrangian path methodology implemented for SALT. The resulting stochastic Primitive Equations are then integrated numerically using a modification of the FESOM2 code. For certain choices of the stochastic parameters, we show that SALT causes an increase in the eddy kinetic energy field and an improvement in the spatial spectrum. SFLT also shows improvements in these areas, though to a lesser extent. SALT does, however, have the drawback of an excessive downwards diffusion of temperature.

The mathematical models and numerical simulations reported here are motivated by satellite observations of horizontal sea surface fluid motions that are closely coordinated with the vertical motion of waves or, after an approximation, an envelope of rapidly oscillating waves. This coordination of fluid movements with wave envelopes tends to occur when strong horizontal buoyancy gradients are present. The nonlinear models of this coordinated movement presented here may provide future opportunities for the optimal design of satellite imagery that could simultaneously capture the dynamics of both waves and currents directly.The models derived here appear first in their unapproximated form, then again with a slowly varying envelope (SVE) approximation using the WKB approach.The WKB wave-current-buoyancy interaction model derived here for a free surface with horizontal buoyancy gradients indicates that the mechanism for these correlations is the ponderomotive force of the slowly varying envelope of rapidly oscillating waves acting on the surface currents via the horizontal buoyancy gradient. In this model, the buoyancy gradient appears explicitly in the WKB wave momentum, which in turn generates density-weighted potential vorticity whenever the buoyancy gradient is not aligned with the wave-envelope gradient.

The mathematical models and numerical simulations reported here are motivated by satellite observations of horizontal gradients of sea surface temperature and salinity that are closely coordinated with the slowly varying envelope of the rapidly oscillating waves. This coordination of gradients of fluid material properties with wave envelopes tends to occur when strong horizontal buoyancy gradients are present. The nonlinear models of this coordinated movement presented here may provide future opportunities for the optimal design of satellite imagery that could simultaneously capture the dynamics of both waves and currents directly.The model derived here appears in two levels of approximation: first for rapidly oscillating waves, and then for their slowly varying envelope (SVE) approximation obtained by using the WKB approach. The WKB wave-current-buoyancy interaction model derived here for a free surface with significant horizontal buoyancy gradients indicates that the mechanism for the emergence of these correlations is the ponderomotive force of the slowly varying envelope of rapidly oscillating waves acting on the surface currents via the horizontal buoyancy gradient. In this model, the buoyancy gradient appears explicitly in the WKB wave momentum, which in turn generates density-weighted potential vorticity whenever the buoyancy gradient is not aligned with the wave-envelope gradient.

We present a numerical investigation into the stochastic parameterisations of the Primitive Equations (PE) using the Stochastic Advection by Lie Transport (SALT) and Stochastic Forcing by Lie Transport (SFLT) frameworks. These frameworks were chosen due to their structure-preserving introduction of stochasticity, which decomposes the transport velocity and fluid momentum into their drift and stochastic parts, respectively. In this paper, we develop a new calibration methodology to implement the momentum decomposition of SFLT and compare with the Lagrangian path methodology implemented for SALT. The resulting stochastic Primitive Equations are then integrated numerically using a modification of the FESOM2 code. For certain choices of the stochastic parameters, we show that SALT causes an increase in the eddy kinetic energy field and an improvement in the spatial spectrum. SFLT also shows improvements in these areas, though to a lesser extent. SALT does, however, have the drawback of an excessive downwards diffusion of temperature.