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Do eddies play a role in the momentum balance of the Leeuwin Current?
Citation
Feng, M and Wijffels, S and Godfrey, S and Meyers, GA, Do eddies play a role in the momentum balance of the Leeuwin Current?, Journal of Physical Oceanography, 35, (6) pp. 964-975. ISSN 0022-3670 (2005) [Refereed Article]
Abstract
The Leeuwin Current is a poleward-flowing eastern boundary current off the western Australian coast, and alongshore momentum balance in the current has been hypothesized to comprise a southward pressure gradient force balanced by northward wind and bottom stresses. This alongshore momentum balance is revisited using a high-resolution upper-ocean climatology to determine the alongshore pressure gradient and altimeter and mooring observations to derive an eddy-induced Reynolds stress. Results show that north of the Abrolhos Islands (situated near the shelf break between 28.2° and 29.3°S), the alongshore momentum balance is between the pressure gradient and wind stress. South of the Abrolhos Islands, the Leeuwin Current is highly unstable and strong eddy kinetic energy is observed offshore of the current axis. The alongshore momentum balance on the offshore side of the current reveals an increased alongshore pressure gradient, weakened alongshore wind stress, and a significant Reynolds stress exerted by mesoscale eddies. The eddy Reynolds stress has a -0.5 Sv (Sv = 106 m3 s-1) correction to the Indonesian Throughflow transport estimate from Godfrey's island rule. The mesoscale eddies draw energy from the mean current through mixed barotropic and baroclinic instability, and the pressure gradient work overcomes the negative wind work to supply energy for the instability process. Hence the anomalous large-scale pressure gradient in the eastern Indian Ocean drives the strongest eddy kinetic energy level among all the midlatitude eastern boundary currents. © 2005 American Meteorological Society.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Research Division: | Earth Sciences |
| Research Group: | Oceanography |
| Research Field: | Physical oceanography |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Policy, Climate Change and Natural Hazards |
| Objective Group: | Adaptation to climate change |
| Objective Field: | Social impacts of climate change and variability |
| UTAS Author: | Meyers, GA (Professor Gary Meyers) |
| ID Code: | 46010 |
| Year Published: | 2005 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 95 |
| Deposited By: | Centre for Marine Science |
| Deposited On: | 2007-08-01 |
| Last Modified: | 2011-11-16 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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