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Numerical discretization of rotated diffusion operators in ocean models
Beckers, J.-M.; Burchard, H.; Deleersnijder, E.; Mathieu, P.-P. (2000). Numerical discretization of rotated diffusion operators in ocean models. Mon. Weather Rev. 128(8): 2711-2733
In: Monthly Weather Review. American Meteorological Society: Washington, D.C.. ISSN 0027-0644; e-ISSN 1520-0493, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Models > Mathematical models
    Transport processes > Diffusion
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Beckers, J.-M., more
  • Burchard, H.
  • Deleersnijder, E., more
  • Mathieu, P.-P., more

Abstract
    A method to improve the behavior of the numerical discretization of a rotated diffusion operator such as, for example, the isopycnal diffusion parameterization used in large-scale ocean models based on the so-called z-coordinate system is presented. The authors then focus exclusively on the dynamically passive tracers and analyze some different approaches to the numerical discretization. Monotonic schemes are designed but are found to be rather complex, while simpler, linear schemes are shown to produce unphysical undershooting and overshooting. It is suggested that the choice of an appropriate discretization method depends on the importance of the rotated diffusion in a given simulation, whether the field to be diffused is dynamically active or not.

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