Numerical study of the circulation of the Tropical Atlantic with model of isopicnal coordinates (NUSTRAC)

• Grant number: 92/01196-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 1992
• End date: April 30, 1997
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Physical Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Edmo José Dias Campos
• Grantee: Edmo José Dias Campos
• Host Institution: Instituto Oceanográfico (IO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this project is the study of dynamic and thermodynamic processes governing the circulation of the tropical Atlantic, based on numerical simulations. The model to be used is a thermodynamically active version of the model of isopicnal coordinates developed in the University of Miami (BLECK et al., 1989, 1992), the principal advantage of which in this context is the elimination of vertical diffusion of numerically induced heat. A comprehensive study of the oceanic response to atmospheric thermodynamic forcing mechanisms is envisaged. Of particular interest will be the interannual and decadal variation of the temperature anomaly of the sea surface (SST), usually referred to as the the Atlantic SST dipole. (AU)