Introduction to Physical Oceanography

by Mellor, George L.

• ISBN13: 9781563962103
• ISBN10: 1563962101
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-10-01
• Publisher: Amer Inst of Physics

Summary

Written by a renowned fluid dynamicist specializing in computational methods (particularly in turbulence), this introductory text addresses the subject of dynamic oceanography from a mathematical approach. The book begins with the basic equations of motion in integral form and covers such essential topics as geostropic flow, barotropic and baroclinic ocean circulations, vorticity, and the astronomical tides. Among the many appendices is one on the method of Matched Asymptotic Expansions as applied to the Gulf Stream the most modern and systematic way of looking at boundary layer problems. Problems are included at the end of each chapter.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Acknowledgments	xiii
The Oceans	1	(13)
Geography	1	(2)
Ocean Properties	3	(5)
Climate and the Oceans	8	(3)
Socio-Economic Importance of the Oceans	11	(3)
Basic Equations	14	(27)
Spherical Earth and the β - Plane	14	(2)
Continuity (or Conservation of Mass) Equation	16	(3)
Lagrangian Derivatives and Eulerian Derivatives	19	(2)
Momentum Equation	21	(4)
Heat and Salt Transport Equations	25	(1)
Constitutive Relations	26	(2)
Turbulence	28	(1)
Approximations and Simplifications of the Equations of Motion	29	(5)
Fluid Statics	34	(7)
Boundary Conditions At The Air-Sea Interface	41	(14)
Solar Radiation	41	(2)
Air-Sea Heat Balance	43	(5)
Salinity Balance	48	(2)
Momentum Balance	50	(5)
Geostrophic Flow	55	(10)
Geostrophic Balance	55	(2)
Thermal Wind Equations	57	(1)
Sverdrup's Relation	58	(1)
Barotropic Flow	59	(6)
Planetary Boundary Layers	65	(19)
Basic Boundary Layer Equations	65	(2)
Atmospheric Boundary Layer	67	(3)
Ocean Surface Boundary Layer	70	(2)
Ocean Bottom Boundary Layer	72	(1)
Matching Atmospheric and Ocean Boundary Layers	72	(3)
Ekman Transport	75	(1)
Wind-Mixed Layer and the Thermocline	76	(4)
Seasonal Variations of the Thermocline	80	(4)
Barotropic Ocean Circulation	84	(25)
Ekman Pumping	84	(5)
A Flat Bottomed Ocean Basin with a Simple Zonal Wind Stress	89	(5)
Western Boundary Current	94	(8)
Vertical Flow Structure of the Flat-Bottomed Basin	102	(7)
Baroclinic Oceanic Flows	109	(27)
Pressure Gradients	109	(2)
Density, Salinity, Temperature Relations	111	(7)
Geostrophic Velocities From Temperature and Salinity Fields	118	(7)
Geostrophic Structures	125	(11)
General Circulations of A Baroclinic Ocean With Bottom Topography	136	(11)
Governing Equations for Arbitrary Wind Stress, Density and Bottom Topography	136	(4)
Flat Bottomed Ocean	140	(2)
Variable Bottom Topography	142	(2)
Primitive Equation, Numerical Ocean Models	144	(3)
Surface Gravity Waves	147	(32)
Ocean Surface Waves	147	(13)
Wind Driven Waves	160	(1)
Shallow Water Flow Directly Approximated From The Equations of Motion	161	(12)
Realistic Basins and Tides	173	(6)
Inertial Motions	179	(17)
Non-Wavelike, Oscillatory Motion	179	(1)
Unsteady, Ocean Surface Boundary Layers	180	(3)
Poincare Waves	183	(4)
Kelvin Waves	187	(6)
Geostrophic Adjustment	193	(3)
Astronomical Tides	196	(17)
Combined Gravitational and Centrifugal Force Potential	196	(4)
Equilibrium Tide	200	(6)
Tidal Observations and Analyses	206	(7)
Vorticity	213	(14)
Vorticity, a Definition	213	(1)
Vector Conventions, Identities and Theorems	214	(2)
Velocity Obtained from Vorticity	216	(3)
Vorticity Transport for a Frictionless Fluid	219	(1)
Approximations	220	(7)
Appendices	227	(20)
Appendix A: Alternate Derivation of the Lagrangian-Eulerian Relation	227	(2)
Appendix B: Derivation of the Absolute Acceleration in a Rotating Coordinate Systems	229	(5)
Appendix C: Perturbation Analysis of the Surface Wave Equations	234	(4)
Appendix D: The Method of Matched Asymptotic Expansions Applied to a Barotropic Ocean	238	(6)
Appendix E: Dimensions, Conversion Factors, and Property Values	244	(3)
References	247	(6)
Recommended Books	253	(2)
Index	255