Turbulent mixing within the ocean plays a key role within the Earth System, by facilitating fluxes across critical interfaces. For example, abyssal turbulent diapycnal mixing balances high latitude deep water formation in sustaining the global Meridional overturning circulation. Turbulent mixing also fluxes limiting nutrients into the euphotic zone sustaining primary production and so sustains a key biogeochemical pathway.
The tides and winds are important sources of kinetic energy supporting marine turbulent. In this presentation we will examine a number of case studies which illuminate the processes involved in the cascade of energy from the tides and wind to turbulent mixing. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of the resolution challenges of observing and parameterising mixing in the ocean.
