A mixed-layer thermal storage model
A well-mixed layer of fixed depth H with constantρ₀,c_p and negligible lateral/entrainment heat transport has ρ₀c_pH dT/dt=Q_net,where Q_net is the total net heat input per horizontal area.
Key knowledge
A well-mixed layer of fixed depth H with constantρ₀,c_p and negligible lateral/entrainment heat transport has ρ₀c_pH dT/dt=Q_net,where Q_net is the total net heat input per horizontal area. Thus equal surface heating produces different rates of temperature change for different thermal inventories. If depth changes or water is exchanged, its carried heat must also be included.
Values and equations
ρ₀c_pH dT/dt=Q_net
- ρ₀
- reference mass density kg m⁻³
- c_p
- specific heat capacity J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹
- H
- fixed layer depth m
- T
- uniform model temperature K
- Q_net
- total net heat input per horizontal area W m⁻²
Conditions and scope
- FixedH>0,one vertically uniform thermal state and Q_net positive into the layer. Include all surface,bottom or distributed contributions in Q_net for this box.
- A net radiative flux alone is not generally the complete ocean heat budget: turbulent sensible/latent exchange, penetrating radiation, mixing and advection may contribute. A changing H cannot simply be substituted into this fixed-mass equation.
Sources · 1
References
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Evidence and review
Derived explicitly by integrating the inspected conditional heat-conservation model over a fixed uniform layer. No uninspected mixed-layer closure, universal ocean depth, numerical heat capacity or climate forecast adopted.
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Entry details
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- uni-earth-mixed-layer-heat-budget
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