Ocean Circulation Theory

by Pedlosky, Joseph

• ISBN13: 9783540604891
• ISBN10: 3540604898
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1996-06-01
• Publisher: Springer Verlag

Summary

This book describes the advances made in the last decade and a half in the theory of ocean circulation. Based on an advanced graduate level course it represents fundamental insights into the structure of the physical theory of the large-scale dynamics of the oceans. Topics of particular interest are: theory of the wind-driven circulation, the thermocline, the equatorial circulation and the abyssal circulation. The author has attempted throughout to blend analytical and numerical results to achieve as deep a physical understanding of the dynamics of the large-scale circulations as possible. The results of the theories are compared with observations and the success or inadequacies of the theories are highlighted.

Table of Contents

Sverdrup Theory	1	(25)
Introduction	1	(3)
Scaling for Sverdrup Theory	4	(7)
The Geostrophic Sverdrup Relation	11	(3)
On the Validity of Sverdrup Theory	14	(11)
References	23	(2)
Homogeneous Models of the Ocean Circulation	25	(68)
Introduction	25	(2)
Formulation of the Homogeneous Model	27	(5)
The Vorticity Equation in Nondimensional Form	32	(1)
Boundary Conditions	33	(2)
The Sverdrup Interior	35	(1)
The Western Boundary-Layer Equation	36	(2)
The Linear Problem	38	(5)
The Inertial Boundary Layer	43	(7)
The Nonlinear Munk Problem	50	(7)
Integral Conditions	57	(4)
Integral Balances for the Boundary Layer	61	(4)
Numerical Examples	65	(10)
Moore's Hypothesis	75	(4)
Inertial Runaway	79	(11)
Discussion	90	(3)
References	91	(2)
Vertical Structure: Baroclinic Quasi-Geostrophic Models	93	(78)
Introduction	93	(4)
The Quasi-Geostrophic Model	97	(8)
Special Cases of the Potential Vorticity Equation	105	(2)
Rossby Waves	107	(6)
The Quasi-Geostrophic Circulation Problem	113	(6)
A Midocean Example	119	(5)
Determination of the Recirculation	124	(7)
Homogenization of Potential Vorticity	131	(5)
Application of the Theory to the Subtropical Gyre	136	(10)
Quasi-Geostrophic Model with Continuous Stratification	146	(11)
Numerical and Observational Evidence	157	(14)
References	169	(2)
Theory of the Ventilated Thermocline	171	(106)
Introduction	171	(5)
Formulation of the Model	176	(7)
Midocean Approximations	183	(5)
The Ventilated Thermocline: The Two-Layer Model	188	(13)
The β-Spiral	201	(4)
The Pool of Constant Potential Vorticity	205	(2)
The Three-Layer Model	207	(9)
The Subpolar Gyre	216	(3)
Ventilation and Homogenization: A Unified Theory	219	(14)
Effect of Finite Mixed Layer Depth	233	(13)
Continuous Models of the Ventilated Thermocline	246	(16)
Observations and Numerical Models	262	(15)
References	274	(3)
Buoyancy Forced Circulation and Cross-Gyre Flow	277	(44)
Introduction	277	(2)
Cross-Gyre Flow	279	(13)
Nonadiabatic Equations in Characteristic Form	292	(16)
The Buoyancy-and Wind-Driven Subtropical Gyre: Analytical Solutions	308	(13)
References	319	(2)
Equatorial Dynamics of the Thermocline: The Equatorial Undercurrent	321	(58)
Introduction	321	(8)
Physics of the EUC: Preliminaries	329	(5)
An Inertial Theory of the Equatorial Undercurrent	334	(7)
The Nondissipative Model	341	(14)
Role of the Shadow Zone in the Undercurrent Structure	355	(4)
Effect of Entrainment	359	(9)
Numerical Models	368	(11)
References	376	(3)
Abyssal Circulation	379	(72)
Introduction	379	(9)
The Stommel, Arons, and Faller Experiment	388	(7)
Stommel-Arons Theory: Abyssal Flow on the Sphere	395	(10)
Dipole Circulation Associated with Isolated Sources	405	(4)
Effect of Ridges and Gaps	409	(10)
Establishment of the Abyssal Circulation	419	(13)
Vertical Structure of the Abyssal Circulation	432	(19)
References	449	(2)
Subject Index	451