Interannual variations in the optical properties of the western equatorial pacific, and their influences on the upper ocean heat dudget

摘要

Variability in the penetration of visible radiation has a strong influence on the heat budget of the upper ocean, particularly in the Western Equatorial Pacific where a strong halocline limits the depth of the mixed layer. Basedon a limited climatology from CZCS, this region generally exhibits low attenuation coefficients, and hence penetration is significant.