Estimates of Energy Dissipation Rates in the Three-Dimensional Deep Ocean Internal Wave Field

Abstract

Using the “Eikonal Approach” (Henyey et al., 1986), we estimate energy dissipation rates in the three-dimensional Garrett-Munk internal wave field. The total energy dissipation rate within the undisturbed GM internal wave field is found to be 4.34 × 10−9 W kg−1. This corresponds to a diapycnal diffusivity of about 0.3 × 10−4 m2s−1, which is less than the value 10−4 m2s−1 required to sustain the global ocean overturning circulation. Only when the high vertical wavenumber, near-inertial current shear is enhanced can diapycnal diffusivity reach ∼10−4 m2s−1. It follows that the energy supplied at low vertical wavenumbers and low frequencies is efficiently transferred to high vertical wavenumbers and near-inertial frequencies in the mixing hotspots in the real ocean.