Global estimates of wind energy input to subinertial motions in the Ekman-Stokes layer |
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| Authors: | Bin Liu Kejian Wu Changlong Guan |
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| Institution: | (1) Physical Oceanography Laboratory, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, 266003, P.R. China |
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| Abstract: | By incorporating the wave-induced Coriolis-Stokes forcing into the classical Ekman model, the wind energy input to the Ekman-Stokes
layer is investigated, with an emphasis on the surface wave effects when the direction of Stokes drift deviates from that
of wind stress. Theoretical analysis of the kinetic energy balance of the Ekman-Stokes layer shows that the total wind energy
input consists of the direct wind energy input and the wave-induced energy input. Details of the direct wind and wave-induced
energy input are discussed. Based on the ECMWF ERA-40 Re-Analysis wind stress and surface wave data, the global total wind
energy input to subinertial motions in the Ekman-Stokes layer is estimated at 2.19 TW, including 0.26 TW (12%) wave-induced
energy input and 1.93 TW (88%) direct wind energy input. The effect of sea-ice coverage on the energy input to the Ekman-Stokes
layer is also considered. It is shown that the global total energy input could be overestimated by 0.08 TW (about 4%) without
taking the sea-ice coverage into account. |
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| Keywords: | Ekman-Stokes layer Coriolis-Stokes forcing wind energy input subinertial motions ERA-40 |
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