*Ichiro Yasuda1, Yasutaka Goto2, Maki Nagasawa1, Koenjong Lee1, Toshiya Nakano2, Shinya Kouketsu3
(1.Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 2.Japan Meterolorogical Agency, 3.Japan Agency of Marine-Earth Science and Technology)
Keywords:Turbulence, microstructure observation method, Meridional Overturning Circulation , Tide-induced mixing, North Pacific
A new efficient microstructure measurement with fast-response thermistors attached to CTD as common ship-based observational platforms were elaborated. This revealed cross-Pacific top-bottom turbulence distributions. Vertical distribution of turbulent energy dissipation is found to be proportional with local squared buoyancy frequency N2(representing density vertical gradient) and local internal tide energy generation and dissipation, indicating that main part of energy dissipation of tide-induced turbulence occurs in the main thermocline. These contribute to revising models of tide-induced three-dimensional distribution used in ocean/climate models, which will contribute to reproducing ocean meridional overturning circulation and oceanic heat/material circulation.