The finite element ocean model and its aspect of vertical discretization [Elektronische Ressource] / von Qiang Wang

The Finite Element Ocean Modeland its aspect of vertical discretizationQiang WangUniversit¨at Bremen 2007The Finite Element Ocean Modeland its aspect of vertical discretizationVom Fachbereich fur¨ Physik und Elektrotechnikder Universit¨ at Bremenzur Erlangung des akademischen Grades einesDoktor der Naturwissenschaften (Dr. rer. nat.)genehmigte DissertationvonQiang Wang1. Gutachter: Prof. Dr. D. Olbers2. Gutachter: Prof. Dr. R. GerdesEingereicht am: 05.07.2007Tag des Promotionskolloquiums: 28.09.2007AbstractThe ocean bottom topography influences the general ocean circulation througha variety of processes. They can be of dynamical origin like topographic Rossbywaves and topographic steering of the circulation through the bottom pressuretorque, or of geometrical origin like sills and ridges that determine the pathwaysand properties of water masses. A faithful representation of the bottom topog-raphy and relevant physical processes is required in numerical ocean models.The ability of a model to resolve the bottom topography is mainly determinedby the choice of vertical coordinates or vertical grids, which is one of the mostimportant aspects of the model design.This work is focused on a systematic study of the performance of differentvertical grids in a set of numerical experiments performed with the FiniteElement Ocean circulation Model (FEOM).