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- Title
Parameterizing Subglacial Discharge in Modeling Buoyancy Driven Flow in Tidewater Glacier Fjords.
- Authors
Wang, Chuning; Chant, Robert J.; Jackson, Rebecca H.
- Abstract
In tidewater glacier fjords, subglacial discharge drives a significant mixing mechanism near glacier fronts and drives a strong exchange flow. Numerous studies (Cowton et al., 2015, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014jc010324; Slater et al., 2017, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016gl072374) have utilized a parameterization for buoyant plume theory to force fjord scales systems, but neglect to parameterize the outflowing of the plume away from the glacial wall after it has reached its neutral density. In this study, a new model framework, ROMS‐ICEPLUME, is developed to parameterize the rising and initial outflowing stage of subglacial discharge plumes in the Regional Ocean Modeling System. The coupled model applies a novel parameterization algorithm to prescribe the velocity and vertical extent of the outflowing plume, which reduces numerical instability and improves model performance. The model framework is tested with a quasi‐realistic forcing using observations of a subglacial discharge plume hydrographic surveys collected from a Greenland fjord. We find that the new model framework is able to reproduce the strong outflowing plume and the compensating inflow at depth, with a spatial structure that correlates well with in‐situ observations. On the other hand, the model framework without the new parameterization algorithm fails to capture the outflowing plume structure. Thus, our new framework for parameterizing subglacial discharge plumes is an improvement from previous coupled model frameworks, and is a promising tool toward advancing our understanding of circulation in tidewater glacier fjords. Plain Language Summary: In Greenland, glacier meltwater enters tidewater glacier fjords from the base of marine‐terminating glaciers, drives strong upwelling plumes, and overturns large amounts of deep fjord water to the fjord surface. We developed a new model framework to represent the subglacial upwelling plume, in order to simulate the ocean circulation near a marine‐terminating glacier front. The model is validated with field observations collected in a Greenlandic fjord, showing good agreement in near glacier velocity fields. This model framework is a promising tool to advance our knowledge of oceanographic processes in tidewater glacier fjords. Key Points: A new model framework is developed to parameterize subglacial discharge plumes in the Regional Ocean Modeling SystemThe model framework incorporates an outflow parameterization and three coupling optionsThe model is able to reproduce the strong jet‐like outflowing plume observed in a Greenlandic fjord
- Subjects
GREENLAND; SUBGLACIAL lakes; FJORDS; TIDE-waters; GLACIERS; BUOYANCY; OCEAN circulation; HYDROGRAPHIC surveying
- Publication
Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans, 2023, Vol 128, Issue 8, p1
- ISSN
2169-9275
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1029/2023JC019924