The Role of the Wind and Mesoscale Eddies in Internal Wave Driven Mixing at Midlatitudes

An array of mechanisms have been suggested by previous modeling, theory, and process-scale observations that may link mesoscale dynamics and internal waves to set the mixing patterns throughout the world. Proposed processes include those where the mesoscale facilitates the dissipation of internal waves, and those where the mesoscale aids in the generation of internal waves. To evaluate whether these processes may make a noticeable impact on the energy dissipation rate at regional and global scales we employ a strain-based finescale parameterization, generating estimates of the dissipation rate using Argo float density profiles. These dissipation rate estimates are then associated with the nearest detected eddy from the Chelton eddy product and the history of the near-inertial energy flux from the winds at that location. We find evidence in support of the mesoscale modulating the wind-induced internal wave dissipation patterns and seasonal cycle. We also observe that a stronger mesoscale is correlated with an elevated dissipation rate, independent of the energy flux into the internal wave field from the winds. These results allow us to hypothesize which of the many mechanisms may be of large-scale importance.