@article{fdi:010049378,
  title = {{S}easonal mixed layer heat balance of the southwestern tropical {I}ndian {O}cean},
  author = {{F}oltz, {G}. {R}. and {V}ialard, {J}{\'e}r{\^o}me and {K}umar, {B}. {P}. and {M}c{P}haden, {M}. {J}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{S}ea surface temperature ({SST}) in the southwestern tropical {I}ndian {O}cean exerts a significant influence on global climate through its influence on the {I}ndian summer monsoon and {N}orthern {H}emisphere atmospheric circulation. {I}n this study, measurements from a long-term moored buoy are used in conjunction with satellite, in situ, and atmospheric reanalysis datasets to analyze the seasonal mixed layer heat balance in the thermocline ridge region of the southwestern tropical {I}ndian {O}cean. {T}his region is characterized by a shallow mean thermocline (90 m, as measured by the 20 degrees {C} isotherm) and pronounced seasonal cycles of {E}kman pumping and {SST} (seasonal ranges of -0.1 to 0.6 m day(-1) and 26 degrees-29.5 degrees {C}, respectively). {I}t is found that surface heat fluxes and horizontal heat advection contribute significantly to the seasonal cycle of mixed layer heat storage. {T}he net surface heat flux tends to warm the mixed layer throughout the year and is strongest during boreal fall and winter, when surface shortwave radiation is highest and latent heat loss is weakest. {H}orizontal heat advection provides warming during boreal summer and fall, when southwestward surface currents and horizontal {SST} gradients are strongest, and is close to zero during the remainder of the year. {V}ertical turbulent mixing, estimated as a residual in the heat balance, also undergoes a significant seasonal cycle. {C}ooling from this term is strongest in boreal summer, when surface wind and buoyancy forcing are strongest, the thermocline ridge is shallow (<90 m), and the mixed layer is deepening. {T}hese empirical results provide a framework for addressing intraseasonal and interannual climate variations, which are dynamically linked to the seasonal cycle, in the southwestern tropical {I}ndian {O}cean. {T}hey also provide a quantitative basis for assessing the accuracy of numerical ocean model simulations in the region.},
  keywords = {},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {C}limate},
  volume = {23},
  numero = {4},
  pages = {947--965},
  ISSN = {0894-8755},
  year = {2010},
  DOI = {10.1175/2009jcli3268.1},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010049378},
}