A boundary-value problem for the parameterized mesoscale eddy transport

Ferrari, Raffaele, Griffies, Stephen M., Nurser, A.J.G. and Vallis, Geoffrey K. (2010) A boundary-value problem for the parameterized mesoscale eddy transport. Ocean Modelling, 32 (3-4), 143-156. (doi:10.1016/j.ocemod.2010.01.004).

Abstract

We present a physically and numerically motivated boundary-value problem for each vertical ocean column, whose solution yields a parameterized mesoscale eddy-induced transport streamfunction.

The new streamfunction is a nonlocal function of the properties of the fluid column. It is constructed to have a low baroclinic mode vertical structure and to smoothly transition through regions of weak stratification such as boundary layers or mode waters.

It requires no matching conditions or regularization in unstratified regions; it satisfies boundary conditions of zero transport at the ocean surface and bottom; and it provides a sink of available potential energy for each vertical seawater column, but not necessarily at each location within the column.

Numerical implementation of the methodology requires the solution of a one-dimensional tridiagonal problem for each vertical column. To illustrate the approach, we present an analytical example based on the nonlinear Eady problem and two numerical simulations.

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