Effects of mixing on the subduction of South Pacific waters identified by a simulated passive tracer and its adjoint

Effects of mixing on water mass subduction are analyzed in the South Pacific Ocean. Model simulations using a passive tracer and its adjoint are employed in conjunction with a particle tracking method to distinguish effects of mixing from those of advection. The results show that mixing processes can contribute to as much as 20% of the overall subduction rate in the South Pacific. Of this mixing contribution, about 30% can be attributed to meso-scale eddies, including their associated bolus transport, while the major part (70%) is due to other diabatic processes. The impact of mixing reaches its maximum near the Sub-Antarctic Front, accounting for nearly 30% of the total subduction rate. Consequently, estimates based on tracing particles or on advection alone may significantly underestimate the subduction rate in the South Pacific Ocean.

Research highlights▶ Mixing processes can contribute to 20% of the overall subduction rate. ▶ The major part of the mixing contribution is due to diabatic processes. ▶ The effect of mixing is significant in the high latitude. ▶ Estimates based on tracing particles may underestimate the subduction rate.