CFD application to oceanic mixed layer sampling with Lagrangian platforms

Frontal adjustment and restratification in oceanic mixed layers is one of the processes that is considered to be important in the ocean's multi-scale energy transfer, biogeochemical transport, air-sea interaction, acoustic propagation and naval operations. We summarise a CFD-based modelling approach to sample processes at an idealised mixed layer base using passive scalars and particles, given a subset of realistic constraints on these resources in field experiments. The results emphasise the effectiveness of Lagrangian platforms, in particular passive particles, for sampling rapidly evolving submesoscale oceanic fields.