01-05 December 2025
INCOIS, Hyderabad, India.
| Abstract Submission No. | ABS-06-0307 |
| Title of Abstract | Mixing Layer Depth in the North Indian Ocean |
| Authors | Ashin Kuriakose*, Girishkumar M S |
| Organisation | Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services |
| Address | Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services Hyderabd, Telengana, India Pincode: 500090 E-mail: a.kuriakose-p@incois.gov.in |
| Country | India |
| Presentation | Oral |
| Abstract | Turbulent mixing is the primary mechanism regulating the vertical exchange of heat, momentum, and disolved substances within the ocean surface boundary layer (OSBL). The mixing layer depth (XLD), defined as the depth of active turbulent mixing, therefore provides a direct measure of OSBL dynamics. This study investigates XLD in the Arabian Sea using microstructure observations from three research cruises spanning multiple seasons. Measurements were collected with the Vertical Microstructure Profiler (VMP-250), and XLD was determined as the depth at which turbulent dissipation rates decreased to a background threshold of 10⁻⁸ W kg⁻¹. In spring, XLD shows strong correspondence with the mixed layer depth (MLD), with a correlation of 0.76 and values consistently slightly deeper than MLD. During summer, XLD follows MLD with a moderate correlation of 0.60 but exhibits a pronounced diurnal cycle, being shallower than MLD during daytime and deeper at night. In winter, the correspondence weakens further, with a correlation of 0.57, and XLD remaining almost always shallower than MLD. hese results highlight the strong seasonal variability in the relationship between MLD and XLD, with wind forcing, stratification, and surface waves likely contributing to the observed XLD variability. Clarifying these relationships advances understanding of upper-ocean mixing processes and their feedback on air⿿sea interactions in the Arabian Sea. |
| Are you part of IIOE-2 endorsed project | no |
| Keywords | Diapycnal mixing, Ocean Turbulence, Mixed Layer, Mixing layer |
| For Awards | yes |
| Date Of Birth | 19-09-1995 |
| ECSN Registration Number | IIOE2-ECSN-0165 |