Abstract
A global ocean model is described in which parameterizations of diapycnal
mixing by double-diffusive fingering and layering are added to a
stability-dependent background turbulent diffusivity. Model runs
with and without double-diffusive mixing are compared for annual-mean
and seasonally varying surface forcing. Sensitivity to different
double-diffusive mixing parameterizations is considered. In all cases,
the locales and extent of salt fingering (as diagnosed from buoyancy
ratio R-p) are grossly comparable to climatology. although fingering
in the models tends to be less intense than observed. Double-diffusive
mixing leads to relatively minor changes in circulation bur exerts
significant regional influences on temperature and salinity.
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