Abstract

Internal solitary waves (ISWs) are prominent oceanographic phenomena characterized by large-amplitude, high-energy waves that propagate along density interfaces within stratified marine environments. These waves are primarily generated by tidal interactions with complex seabed features such as ridges and submarine canyons. Frequently observed in regions like the South China Sea, Andaman Sea, and Atlantic Ocean, ISWs play a pivotal role in enhancing ocean mixing by redistributing heat, nutrients, and carbon. This redistribution supports marine ecosystems and influences biological productivity. Moreover, ISWs contribute to energy dissipation, thereby affecting large-scale ocean circulation and broader climate dynamics. Their substantial currents and amplitudes also have significant implications for marine engineering and maritime activities, impacting underwater navigation and offshore operations.

This seminar presents the Oceanic Regional Circulation and Tide Model (ORCTM), an advanced computational framework designed to accurately simulate ISW dynamics through a nonhydrostatic dynamics module that solves fully nonlinear, three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations under the incompressible Boussinesq approximation. ORCTM utilizes an Arakawa-C grid and a pressure correction method to effectively model nonhydrostatic pressure components. Validation studies demonstrate ORCTM’s capability to replicate the life cycles of ISWs and their interactions with tidal and topographic features. Additionally, the seminar will examine the modulation of ISWs by mesoscale eddies in the Luzon Strait, influenced by the Kuroshio Current, illustrating how these eddies alter ISW properties and energy dynamics.

This research integrates principles from physical oceanography, marine engineering, and climate science, underscoring the interdisciplinary significance of ISW studies and the contributions of ORCTM to our understanding of ocean dynamics and the management of marine ecosystems.

Biography

Dr. Xueen Chen is a distinguished Professor of Physical Oceanography at Ocean University of China. He earned his Ph.D. from Hamburg University in 2004, specializing in oceanographic research. Dr. Chen currently serves as the national correspondent for the International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans (IAPSO) in China, aiming at advancing oceanographic studies and enhancing international collaborations. His primary research interests encompass numerical modeling, internal waves, sea ice dynamics, and data assimilation, with numerous publications that have led to significant contributions in understanding complex oceanic processes. Dr. Chen and his team recently developed the Oceanic Regional Circulation and Tide Model (ORCTM), a nonhydrostatic oceanic regional model capable of numerically replicating the complex dynamics of internal solitary waves and their interactions with tidal and topographic features, as showcased in Geophysical Model Development (2023) and Journal of Physical Oceanography (2024). His work enhances our understanding of ocean dynamics, supports marine ecosystem management, and informs marine engineering practices, highlighting his interdisciplinary impact in the field of physical oceanography.