Abstract:

The dataset includes snapshots of particles under the exclusive influence of boundary layer flows. The data are obtained from two computer simulations that are driven by two different sets of meteorological conditions. Dataset contains the trajectories of Lagrangian particles with a constant rising speed driven by turbulent ocean surface boundary layer currents. The velocity fields that move the particles are computed using the National Center for Atmospheric Research Large Eddy Simulation (NCAR-LES) model.

Suggested Citation:

Junhong Liang. 2018. Snapshots of simulated buoyant particles in the ocean surface boundary layer. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7CV4G9S

Publications:

Liang, J.-H., Wan, X., Rose, K. A., Sullivan, P. P., & McWilliams, J. C. (2018). Horizontal Dispersion of Buoyant Materials in the Ocean Surface Boundary Layer. Journal of Physical Oceanography. doi:10.1175/jpo-d-18-0020.1

Purpose:

To study the horizontal spreading of oil droplets under the exclusive influence of ocean surface boundary layer flows.

Data Parameters and Units:

The netcdf file contains the trajectories (variables [x1 y1] and [x2 y2]) of Lagrangian particles with a constant rising speed driven by turbulent ocean surface boundary layer currents. The velocity fields that move the particles are computed using the National Center for Atmospheric Research Large Eddy Simulation (NCAR-LES) model [Sullivan and McWilliams 2010]. The velocity has a resolved component directly computed by the LES model, and a sub-grid scale (unresolved) component calculated using a random displacement model [Wilson 2015]. Similar to most turbulence simulations, the turbulent velocity fields are computed on a finite-size domain with doubly periodic boundary conditions in horizontal directions. The Lagrangian particle trajectories are computed in an infinite domain by cyclically using the velocity field. The particles vary in their rising speeds (variable WB). The two simulations ("simulation 1" and "simulation 2") are driven by the same 10-m wind (10 m/s) and differ in wave forcing. In "simulation 1", there is no wave forcing and particles are advected by Ekman boundary layer currents. In "simulation 2", wave in equilibrium with wind is added and particles are advected by Langmuir boundary layer currents. Details of the model and the configuration are in Liang et al. [2018]. Particle number [ID (no units)], Buoyant rising speed [WB(mm/s)], Downwind location of simulation 1 [x1(m)], Crosswind location of simulation 1 [y1(m)], Downwind location of simulation 2 [x2(m)], Crosswind location of simulation 2 [y2(m)], Time in simulation 1 [t1(s)], Time in simulation 2 [t2(s)] Simulation 1 = "u10=10m/s, Ekman layer low wave", Simulation 2 = "u10=10m/s, Laminar layer wind-wave equilibrium "; Liang, J.-H., X. Wan, K. A. Rose, P. P. Sullivan, and J. C. McWilliams (2018), Horizontal dispersion of buoyant materials in the ocean surface boundary layer. J. Phys. Oceanogr., submitted. Sullivan, P. P., and J. C. McWilliams (2010), Dynamics of winds and currents coupled to surface waves, Annu. Rev. Fluid Mech., 42, 19-42, doi:10.1146/annurev-fluid-121108-145541. Wilson, J. D. (2015), Computing the flux footprint, Boundary-Layer Meteorol., 156, 1-14.

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