Document Number: N0001401WR20396 http://www.oc.nps.navy.mil/opbl/ http://www.oc.nps.navy.mil/opbl/my4413movie.gif LONG-TERM GOALS The long range scientific goal of the Oceanic Planetary Boundary Layer (OPBL) Laboratory is to understand the role of the OPBL in the coupled exchange of energy, momentum and mass between the upper ocean and the atmosphere (and the cryosphere). OBJECTIVES The objective of the research here is to calculate nonstationary three-dimensional solutions for the turbulent

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... hydrostatic flow regime on the West Florida shelf using Large-Eddy Simulation. These solutions are used to explain the three-dimensional optical properties of the water column by understanding the behavior of tracers and drifters deployed during field experiments. APPROACH Mathematical models for turbulent entrainment, shear production, buoyancy flux, transport and dissipation are developed and verified by comparison with observations and full-physics nonhydrostatic large-eddy simulation (LES). Coupling with atmosphere and/or cryosphere is included and is intrinsic to system prediction. Turbulent processes found to be of importance to the coupled system are parameterized for implementation in hydrostatic OGCM's for research and operational use. WORK COMPLETED During FY02, the OPBL Laboratory of the Naval Postgraduate School carried out numerical solutions for the turbulent nonhydrostatic flow regime on the West Florida shelf using Large-Eddy Simulation. These solutions can now be used to explain the optical properties of the water column by understanding the behavior of tracers and drifters deployed during field experiments with AUV's. The solutions for the turbulent flow on the shelf are contrasted with the turbulent flow solutions for the deep ocean, including the Labrador Sea. Animated GIFS of the turbulent boundary layer in both shelf