The KPP boundary layer scheme: revisiting its formulation and benchmarking one-dimensional ocean simulations relative to LES

We evaluate the Community ocean Vertical Mixing (CVMix) project version of the K-profile parameterization (KPP). For this purpose, one-dimensional KPP simulations are compared across a suite of oceanographically relevant regimes against large eddy simulations (LES). The LES is forced with horizontally uniform boundary fluxes and has horizontally uniform initial conditions, allowing its horizontal average to be compared to one-dimensional KPP tests. We find the standard configuration of KPP consistent with LES results across many simulations, supporting the physical basis of KPP. We propose some adaptations of KPP for improved applicability. First, KPP requires that interior diffusivities and gradients be matched to KPP predicted values. We find that difficulties in representation of derivatives under rapidly changing diffusivities near the base of the ocean surface boundary layer (OSBL) can lead to loss of simulation fidelity. We propose two solutions: (1) require linear interpolation to match interior diffusivities and gradients and (2) a computationally simpler alternative where the KPP diffusivity is set to zero at the OSBL base and interior mixing schemes are extended to the surface. Yet the latter approach is sensitive to implementation details and we suggest a number of solutions to prevent emergence of numerical high frequency noise. Further, the chosen time stepping scheme can also impact model biases associated with the non-local tracer flux parameterization. While we propose solutions to mitigate the artificial near-surface stratification, our results show that the KPP parameterized non-local tracer flux is inconsistent with LES results in one case due to the assumption that it solely redistributes the surface tracer flux. In general, our reevaluation of KPP has led to a series of improved recommendations for use of KPP within ocean circulation models.