Turbulent Processes in the Oman Sea: A Numerical Study

In this investigation, the General Ocean Turbulent Model (GOTM) was used for the investigation of turbulent processes of a water column over a study site in the Oman Sea. The used method appropriately reproduces the main features of the study area, allows for a realistic view of the turbulence, and thus makes it possible to compare the Mixed Layer Depth (MLD) in all seasons. The MLD varies from 150 m in spring to 200 m in autumn. This simulation presented that the production of Turbulent Kinetic Energy (TKE) in the seawater column in the Oman Sea has seasonal changes. In the surface layer, TKE is small which is produced by low quantities of shear production, then it is conserved by the wind stress on the mixed layer and buoyancy production. In the deep layer, TKE is produced only by buoyancy. Calculated Prandtl number in all seasons presented that the turbulent diffusivity of temperature is dominant in most parts of water column, except in a thin layer which forms approximately between the depths of 150–200 m.