A non-hydrostatic algorithm for free-surface ocean modelling

International audienceAn original implementation of a non-hydrostatic, free-surface algorithm based on a pressure correction method is proposed for ocean modelling. The free surface is implemented through an explicit scheme combined with a mode-spitting method but the depth-averaged velocity and the position of the free surface are updated at each non-hydrostatic iteration. The vertical momentum equation is also integrated up to the surface enabling a natural and accurate treatment of the surface layer. The consistent specification of the numerical schemes provides balanced transfers of potential and kinetic energy. This algorithm is well-suited for implementation as a non-hydrostatic kernel on originally hydrostatic free-surface ocean models such as Symphonie (http://poc.obs-mip.fr/pages/research_topics/modelling/symphonie/symphonie.htm) for which it has originally been developed. Energy balances associated with the propagation of short surface waves and solitary waves are presented for two dedicated well-documented configurations over closed domains. The buoyancy flux, the work rate of the pressure force together with the power of the advective terms are evaluated and discussed for the generation and the propagation of these two types of waves. The dissipation rate is in particular shown to be several orders of magnitude smaller than the work rates of the hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic pressure forces confirming the necessity for the exchanges of energy to be numerically balanced. The algorithm is subsequently applied to the complex generation of non-linear solitary internal waves by surface tides over Georges Bank, in the Gulf of Maine. The generation and the propagation of the observed non-linear and non-hydrostatic features in this region are correctly reproduced