Role of Langmuir circulation in the deepening of the
ocean surface mixed layer
Science, 270, 1955-1957, 1995.
Helical motions, known as Langmuir circulation, are a key physical
process in the upper ocean
but have not yet been incorporated into ocean models.
This paper shows how surface mixed layer deepening by Langmuir circulation
can be added to that due to convection or velocity shear;
Langmuir circulation is more important than shear if the
velocity difference across the mixed-layer base is less than about
1% of the wind speed. In an upper ocean data set, evidence is found
for the deepening of mixed layer by both mechanisms. Thus
Langmuir circulation influences upper ocean diurnal and seasonal
changes in stratification.
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