Date of Award
1996
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
First Advisor
William J. Wiseman, Jr.
Second Advisor
Oscar K. Huh
Abstract
Eddy heat flux variability over the Louisiana-Texas shelf was investigated using satellite-derived surface velocity and temperature data between October 1993 and October 1994. Assuming the product of sea water density and specific heat is relatively constant, velocity-temperature covariance reflects eddy heat flux (the fluctuating part of the 1 x 1 degree, 90 day mean heat flux). Available velocity and temperature fields, however, are not synchronous. Temperature "observations" at velocity positions were optimally estimated using the Gauss Markoff Theorem. The error-estimate is comparable to the error resulting from the application of the widely accepted SST correction algorithm. The trend that instantaneous temperature flux principal axes become more isotropic offshore is significant at $\alpha$ = 0.10 in all seasons but October-December. Across the shelf, eddy heat flux is directed upcoast. In winter, the innershelf upcoast eddy heat flux is induced by cool down-coast transport associated with cold air outbreaks; while near the shelf break, it is induced by warm upcoast transport probably associated with an anticyclonic ring shed from the Loop Current. In the summer, the innershelf up-coast eddy heat flux is induced by warm upcoast transport. Eddy heat transport may be an important term in the winter heat budget. Heat is lost downcoast primarily because of the longshore mean-velocity gradient.
Recommended Citation
Ransibrahmanakul, Varis, "Variability of Eddy Heat Fluxes Over the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico." (1996). LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses. 6213.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/6213
ISBN
9780591035292
Pages
182
DOI
10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.6213