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A Theory of Deep Stratification and Overturning Circulation in the Ocean
Citation
Nikurashin, M and Vallis, G, A Theory of Deep Stratification and Overturning Circulation in the Ocean, Journal of Physical Oceanography, 41, (March) pp. 485-502. ISSN 0022-3670 (2011) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
© Copyright 2011 AMS
DOI: doi:10.1175/2010JPO4529.1
Abstract
A simple theoretical model of the deep stratification and meridional overturning circulation in an idealized
single-basin ocean with a circumpolar channel is presented. The theory includes the effects of wind, eddies,
and diapycnal mixing; predicts the deep stratification in terms of the surface forcing and other problem parameters;
makes no assumption of zero residual circulation; and consistently accounts for the interaction
between the circumpolar channel and the rest of the ocean.
The theory shows that dynamics of the overturning circulation can be characterized by two limiting regimes,
corresponding to weak and strong diapycnal mixing. The transition between the two regimes is described by
a nondimensional number characterizing the strength of the diffusion-driven compared to the wind-driven
overturning circulation. In the limit of weak diapycnal mixing, deep stratification throughout the ocean is
produced by the effects of wind and eddies in a circumpolar channel and maintained even in the limit of
vanishing diapycnal diffusivity and in a flat-bottomed ocean. The overturning circulation across the deep
stratification is driven by the diapycnal mixing in the basin away from the channel but is sensitive, through
changes in stratification, to the wind and eddies in the channel. In the limit of strong diapycnal mixing, deep
stratification is primarily set by eddies in the channel and diapycnal mixing in the basin away from the channel,
with the wind over the circumpolar channel playing a secondary role. Analytical solutions for the deep
stratification and overturning circulation in the limit of weak diapycnal mixing and numerical solutions that
span the regimes of weak to strong diapycnal mixing are presented.
The theory is tested with a coarse-resolution ocean general circulation model configured in an idealized
geometry. A series of experiments performed to examine the sensitivity of the deep stratification and the
overturning circulation to variations in wind stress and diapycnal mixing compare well with predictions
from the theory.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | meridional overturning circulation, bottom cell, antarctic bottom water, deep stratification, conceptual theory |
Research Division: | Earth Sciences |
Research Group: | Oceanography |
Research Field: | Physical oceanography |
Objective Division: | Environmental Policy, Climate Change and Natural Hazards |
Objective Group: | Understanding climate change |
Objective Field: | Climate variability (excl. social impacts) |
UTAS Author: | Nikurashin, M (Dr Maxim Nikurashin) |
ID Code: | 79720 |
Year Published: | 2011 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 82 |
Deposited By: | IMAS Research and Education Centre |
Deposited On: | 2012-10-01 |
Last Modified: | 2012-11-26 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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