Articles | Volume 21, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-21-2019-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-21-2019-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
18 Sep 2025
Research article |
| 18 Sep 2025
| 18 Sep 2025
The global ocean mixed layer depth derived from an energy approach based on buoyancy work
Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
Emmanuel Romero
Departamento Académico de Sistemas Computacionales, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, Carretera al sur km 55, Col. Mezquitito, La Paz, BCS, Mexico
Karina Ramos-Musalem
Departamento de Oceanografía Física, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
Leonardo Tenorio-Fernandez
Departamento de Oceanología, Instituto Politécnico Nacional-Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Av. Politécnico Nacional s/n. Col. Palo de Santa Rita, 23096, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
CONHACyT, Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencia y Tecnología, Av. Insurgentes Sur 1582, Col. Crédito Constructor, Demarcación Territorial Benito Juárez, 03940, Mexico City, Mexico
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Short summary
The mixed layer, where ocean properties are uniform, is key to ocean dynamics and ocean-atmosphere interactions. We propose an alternative definition of the mixed layer as the layer in which water parcels can move with little or no work. This approach provides realistic estimates of mixed-layer depth across space and time under diverse ocean conditions. It has potential implications for improving our understanding of various ocean-atmosphere phenomena, including dynamic and thermodynamic ones.
The mixed layer, where ocean properties are uniform, is key to ocean dynamics and...
