2018-2019, Ocean Sciences
Dr Zhao JING

Biography

Dr. Zhao Jing got his Ph.D. degree in Department of Oceanography at Texas A&M University in 2016. He is now a professor in Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography at Ocean University of China. He has a broad research interest including ocean mesoscale eddies, internal waves and turbulent diapycnal mixing. His research involves understanding the spatial and temporal variability of turbulent diapycnal mixing and its controlling factors, the magnitude and mechanisms of energy exchange between internal waves and geostrophic flows, as well as mesoscale eddy-atmosphere interaction and its climate effects. He is also engaged in constructing operational observing systems combining various platforms such as Argo, glider, wave glider, and mooring to resolve multi-scale ocean processes.

Abstract
"Ocean Mesoscale Eddy-Atmosphere Interaction and Its Impact on Eddy Energetics and Transport"

Mesoscale eddies are ubiquitous in the upper ocean, containing 70% of oceanic kinetic energy. They are a key component in the ocean energetics and contribute significantly to the transport of heat, carbon dioxide and nutrients. Characteristics and variabilities of mesoscale eddies used to be understood from a pure ocean dynamics viewpoint. However, observational and modeling studies in the past two decades indicate that they are strongly coupled to the atmosphere. On one hand, mesoscale eddies have a profound influence on the atmospheric boundary layer, exerting a significant imprint on the turbulent heat flux, winds/ wind stress and rainfall and further providing a source of influence on midlatitude weather pattern changes. One the other hand, the atmospheric response can in turn affect mesoscale eddies and large-scale circulations in several ways. This talk provides a brief review on this feedback and introduces some new findings from our research group. Topics include (1) how the air-sea interaction affects the eddy energetics, (2) how this effect changes the eddy transport in the ocean, and (3) what its impact is on the large-scale ocean circulation and stratification.