Propagation, Dissipation, and Mixing Effects of Wind-Generated Near-Inertial Internal Waves under the Nontraditional Approximation

Jiu zishuai; Hao zhanjiu; Min wenjia; Zhao Bo; Liu zhiliang

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Jiu zishuai，Hao zhanjiu，Min wenjia, et al. Propagation, Dissipation, and Mixing Effects of Wind-Generated Near-Inertial Internal Waves under the Nontraditional Approximation[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2026, 48(x)：1–10

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Propagation, Dissipation, and Mixing Effects of Wind-Generated Near-Inertial Internal Waves under the Nontraditional Approximation

Jiu zishuai^{1, 2
,},
Hao zhanjiu⁴,
Min wenjia^{1, 2, 3},
Zhao Bo^{1, 2, 3
,
,},
Liu zhiliang^{1, 2, 3}

1.
Research Center for Marine Science, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
2.
Hebei Key Laboratory of Ocean Dynamics, Resources and Environments, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
3.
Qinhuangdao Key Laboratory of Marine Ecological Security and Artificial Intelligence Application, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
4.
China Waterborne Transport Research Institute 10088, Beijing, China

Received Date: 2026-03-27
Rev Recd Date: 2026-05-12

Available Online: 2026-05-24

Abstract

Abstract

This study employs the MITgcm two-dimensional non-hydrostatic numerical model to simulate the generation, propagation, and dissipation processes of wind-generated near-inertial internal waves in the low-latitude ocean region (2°–20°) under both the traditional approximation and the nontraditional approximation. The effects of the nontraditional approximation (retention of the horizontal component of the Coriolis parameter) on the propagation pathways, energy dissipation, and ocean interior mixing of near-inertial internal waves are systematically analyzed. The nontraditional approximation broadens the dispersion relation of internal waves, enabling near-inertial internal waves to generate sub-inertial components. Consequently, these waves can cross the inertial latitudes defined under the traditional approximation and continuously transport energy toward higher latitudes and the deep ocean. Poleward-propagating near-inertial internal waves, under the nontraditional approximation, propagate downward to the seafloor in the vicinity of the inertial latitude. After bottom reflection, wave energy accumulates within the near-bottom layer, significantly enhancing vertical shear in this region and triggering shear instability, which leads to near-inertial internal waves energy dissipation. The mean dissipation power per unit zonal width in the Shear instability region is 0.25 W/m, and the associated enhanced turbulent mixing drives diapycnal volume transport in the deep ocean reaching 1.2 × 10⁻⁴ Sv. Based on the model results and a global estimate of near-inertial wave energy dissipation, this study roughly estimates that under the non-traditional approximation, wind-generated near-inertial internal waves induce deep-ocean turbulent mixing, which drives a global upwelling of approximately 1 Sv. These results indicate that the non-traditional approximation is essential for accurately quantifying near-inertial wave energy dissipation and its role in the global meridional overturning circulation.
- Non-traditional approximation,
- Near-inertial internal waves,
- Ocean interior mixing,
- Shear instability

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References(39)

References

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