A methodology for Thorpe scaling 512 Hz fast thermistor data from buoyancy-driven gliders to estimate turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate in the ocean

A Kongsberg Seaglider with a microstructure package was deployed in the Faroe-Shetland Channel in 2017 as part of the 4th Marine Autonomous Systems in Support of Marine Observations (MASSMO4). Using the FP07 fast thermistor (512 Hz), the standard Seaglider thermistor (0.2 Hz) and potential density calculated from Seaglider conductivity-temperature sail (0.2 Hz) a comparison of the Thorpe Scale method has been made. Through this method turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) dissipation rates are inferred from the length-scale of a turbulent overturn. Comparison of the three physical quantities show that overturns with a comparable length-scale also have a comparable TKE dissipation rate. The range of estimated TKE dissipation rates from the 0.2 Hz data is also comparable to those inferred using the same method applied to potential density calculated from a ship mounted CTD.

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