GOTM & 3D models
The GOTM model, due to its modular design, is easily reusable in the
framework of 3D circulation models. The linking of the 3D code with the
turbulence code can be done through linking the F77 version of GOTM to
the 3D model through a suitable interface.
The integration of the GOTM turbulence code into a 3D circulation model
is as easy as calling a subroutine. For each horizontal point in the
grid, information on physical properties in the water column is passed
to the subroutine that resolves the turbulence equations. At the end
of the call new turbulent diffusion coefficients are passed back to the
calling 3D model.
Physical quantities needed to resolve the turbulence equations are the
shear and buoyancy frequency (computed through the knowledge of current
velocity and buoyancy), surface and bottom stresses and turbulent
diffusion coefficients. Moreover, knowledge of the turbulent kinetic
energy, dissipation rate and length scale must be passed and retained
from one time step to the other. On the basis of this information the
new turbulent diffusion coefficients are computed for the water column.
What essentially has to be done to integrate GOTM into a 3D circulation
model is the construction of an interface that links the GOTM subroutine
to the overall structure of the 3D model. The figure below shows the
abstract implementation of this interface. Various interfaces exists
already or are under development that link GOTM to:
- MOM (Modular Ocean Model).
- POM (Princeton Ocean Model).
- COHERENS (COupled Hydrodynamical Ecological model for REgioNal Shelf seas).
If you want to use GOTM in your 3D model the only thing that has to be
done is to write the appropriate interface to the circulation model. You
can use the already existing interfaces as a starting point. Clearly,
if you have problems, the GOTM developers will be glad to help you in
this task.