Abstract:

HYCOM is designed as a generalized (hybrid isopycnal/σ/z) coordinate ocean model. It is isopycnal in the open stratified ocean, but reverts to a terrain-following coordinate in shallow coastal regions, and to z-level coordinates near the surface in the mixed layer. This generalized vertical coordinate approach is dynamic in space and time via the layered continuity equation, which allows a dynamical transition between the coordinate types. Like MICOM, HYCOM allows isopycnals intersecting sloping topography by allowing zero thickness layers. HYCOM was developed from MICOM using the theoretical foundation for implementing a hybrid coordinate system set forth in Bleck and Boudra (1981; J. Phys. Oceanogr.), Bleck and Benjamin (1993; Mon. Wea. Rev.), Bleck (2002; Ocean Modelling), Chassignet et al. (2003, J. Phys. Oceanogr.) and Halliwell (2003; Ocean Modelling). HYCOM is maintained as a single scalable/portable source code. The Gulf of Mexico model has 1/25° equatorial resolution and latitudinal resolution of 1/25° cos(lat) or ~3.5 km for each variable at mid-latitudes. It has 20 coordinate surfaces in the vertical.

Suggested Citation:

Kourafalou, Villy. 2014. HYCOM + NCODA Gulf of Mexico 1/25° Analysis (GOMl0.04/expt_20.1), Gulf of Mexico, January 2003 to July 2010.. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7TM784T

Publications:

Le Hénaff, M., Kourafalou, V. H., Paris, C. B., Helgers, J., Aman, Z. M., Hogan, P. J., & Srinivasan, A. (2012). Surface Evolution of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Patch: Combined Effects of Circulation and Wind-Induced Drift. Environ. Sci. Technol., 46(13), 7267–7273. doi:10.1021/es301570w

Paris, C. B., Hénaff, M. L., Aman, Z. M., Subramaniam, A., Helgers, J., Wang, D.-P., … Srinivasan, A. (2012). Evolution of the Macondo Well Blowout: Simulating the Effects of the Circulation and Synthetic Dispersants on the Subsea Oil Transport. Environ. Sci. Technol., 46(24), 13293–13302. doi:10.1021/es303197h

Purpose:

To develop a regional 3D Earth System Model that includes interfacial exchange processes between sediment, water, and atmosphere; biogeochemical processes, the transport of organisms, and the effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on all of these processes.

Data Parameters and Units:

Latitude (deg.), Longitude (deg.), MT time (days since 1900-12-31 00:00:00), Date (day as %Y%m%d.%f), mld ocean mixed layer thickness (m), mlp ocean mixed layer thickness (m), qtot surface downward heat flux in air (w/m2), emp water flux into ocean (kg/m2/s), surface temperature trend (deg C/day), surface salinity trend (psu/day), ssh sea surface elevation (m).