Ocean Circulation Theory

Some Remarks on the Derivation of the Sverdrup Relation

“…The first condition corresponds to noslip boundary condition, the second corresponds to a condition of a vanishing tangential stress, the last one corresponds to a relation beetween the eddy flux of the total vorticity and the large scale vorticity field, see [14] page 34. What condition on the boundary due to the diffusion term, do we have to choose ?…”

“…It the dissipation is small, which means E 1, do this choice has some influence on the global circulation character ? This choice is not so clear as it is pointed out by J. Pedlosky in [14] page 35.…”

“…We study the influence of the choice of the second boundary condition on this derivation. The boundary conditions that are considered are that given by J. Pedlosky in [14]. …”

On a Wind-Driven, Double-Gyre, Quasi-Geostrophic Ocean Model: Numerical Simulations and Structural Analysis

“…The nondimensional parameter α r is introduced here to study the effects of the wind stress on the dynamics; its value can be allowed to range between 0 and 1.8 (equivalent to taking the wind stress from abnormally low to abnormally high, as in [12]). The term τ dim /ρ 0 h is dictated by the Ekman pumping on the surface Ekman boundary layer, and is also related to the leading order Coriolis term f 0 k × v in the quasi-geostrophic asymptotics; see Pedlosky [23].…”

Stability of large-scale oceanic flows and the importance of non-local effects

“…Given that in the interior of the ocean, motion along isopycnal surfaces is strongly favored over motion across them, this is a good first approximation (Pedlosky, 1998). …”