Frontogenesis is the fluid-dynamical processes that rapidly sharpen horizontal density gradients and their associated horizontal velocity shears. It is a positive feedback process where the ageostrophic, overturning secondary circulation in the cross-front plane accelerates the frontal sharpening until an arrest occurs through frontal instability and other forms of turbulent mixing. Several well-known types of oceanic frontal phenomena are surveyed, their impacts on oceanic system functioning are assessed, and future research is envisioned.
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Intensification of submesoscale frontogenesis and forward energy cascade driven by upper-ocean convergent flows.
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Upper-ocean fronts are an important component of the global climate system, regulating both the oceanic energy cycle and material transports. In the common paradigm, upper-ocean fronts are generated by frontogenesis at the mesoscale (20-300 km), driven predominantly by confluent horizontal flows initiated by a background straining field. However, the mechanisms by which this frontogenesis extends down to and influences the submesoscale (0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFrontal processes as drivers of floating marine debris in coastal areas.
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.
The influence of floating marine debris (FMD) on coastal and marine communities and ecosystems is undeniable, and attention is increasingly focused on ecologically and biologically important coastal areas. To protect marine life and valuable resources from FMD pollution, identifying FMD accumulation zones is recognized as a priority. One of the coastal ocean processes found governing the distribution of FMD is water convergence (frontal zones).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntense atmospheric frontogenesis by air-sea coupling processes during the passage of Typhoon Lingling captured at Ieodo Ocean Research Station.
Sci Rep
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Ocean Research Division, Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency, Busan, Republic of Korea.
The Ieodo Ocean Research Station (Ieodo ORS) is a fixed marine observation platform at the boundary of the Yellow and East China Seas. In 2019, a Category 4 Typhoon Lingling passed by the Ieodo ORS very closely. At that time, the Ieodo ORS observed Sea Surface Temperature (SST) cooling of 4.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOceanic Frontogenesis.
Ann Rev Mar Sci
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Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1565, USA; email:
Frontogenesis is the fluid-dynamical processes that rapidly sharpen horizontal density gradients and their associated horizontal velocity shears. It is a positive feedback process where the ageostrophic, overturning secondary circulation in the cross-front plane accelerates the frontal sharpening until an arrest occurs through frontal instability and other forms of turbulent mixing. Several well-known types of oceanic frontal phenomena are surveyed, their impacts on oceanic system functioning are assessed, and future research is envisioned.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMaintenance of mid-latitude oceanic fronts by mesoscale eddies.
Sci Adv
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Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
Oceanic fronts associated with strong western boundary current extensions vent a vast amount of heat into the atmosphere, anchoring mid-latitude storm tracks and facilitating ocean carbon sequestration. However, it remains unclear how the surface heat reservoir is replenished by ocean processes to sustain the atmospheric heat uptake. Using high-resolution climate simulations, we find that the vertical heat transport by ocean mesoscale eddies acts as an important heat supplier to the surface ocean in frontal regions.
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