Profiling Dissipation Measurements using (chi)pods on Moored Profilers in Luzon Strait

Abstract

LONG-TERM GOALSThe long-term goal of this program is to understand the physics of small-scale oceanic processes and how they affect the larger scales of ocean circulation. Ongoing studies within the Ocean Mixing Group at OSU emphasize observations, interaction with turbulence modelers and an aggressive program of sensor / instrumentation development and integration. OBJECTIVESThe principal objectives of this project are to:• quantify the energy losses to turbulence dissipation in the Luzon Strait in a systematic, comprehensive and extended way; • quantify the spring-neap variation in these energy losses;• obtain meaningful, long-term observations of the turbulent heat and momentum flux profiles in Luzon Strait, from which useful parameterizations can be derived; APPROACHTo accomplish these objectives, we have:1. modified 2 McLane Moored Profilers MPs for direct and extended measurements of turbulence, and 2. built, deployed and analyzed data from additional fixed-point turbulence measurements on IWISE moorings WORK COMPLETEDWe worked with engineers from the Applied Physics Lab at University of Washington to modify 2 MPs to house new pressure cases with analog electronics, fast thermistor sensors, analog-to-digital conversion electronics and batteries (Figure 1).