Parameterized internal wave mixing in three ocean general circulation models

We evaluate the parameterization IDEMIX for vertical mixing by breaking internal gravity waves in three different non-eddy resolving ocean models, namely ICON-O, FESOM and MITgcm. To assess the impact of the new closure, we prescribe three different products for wave forcing by tidal flow over topography that encompass the current uncertainty of this process. We compare these sensitivity simulations with a reference simulation without IDEMIX of each model and analyze the model-independent effects on the ocean circulation and mixing.In particular, we observe a stronger mixing work once IDEMIX is used which better agrees with observations.Coherent model responses to the stronger mixing work from IDEMIX are a deepening of thermocline depth, a warming of the upper-ocean thermocline water masses and an increased strength of the upper Atlantic overturning cell.