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Dynamics of an Abyssal Circulation Driven by Bottom-Intensified Mixing on Slopes.
- Source :
-
Journal of Physical Oceanography . Jun2018, Vol. 48 Issue 6, p1257-1282. 26p. - Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- The large-scale circulation of the abyssal ocean is enabled by small-scale diapycnal mixing, which observations suggest is strongly enhanced toward the ocean bottom, where the breaking of internal tides and lee waves is most vigorous. As discussed recently, bottom-intensified mixing induces a pattern of near-bottom up- and downwelling that is quite different from the traditionally assumed widespread upwelling. Here the consequences of bottom-intensified mixing for the horizontal circulation of the abyssal ocean are explored by considering planetary geostrophic dynamics in an idealized “bathtub geometry.” Up- and downwelling layers develop on bottom slopes as expected, and these layers are well described by boundary layer theory. The basin-scale circulation is driven by flows in and out of these boundary layers at the base of the sloping topography, which creates primarily zonal currents in the interior and a net meridional exchange along western boundaries. The rate of the net overturning is controlled by the up- and downslope transports in boundary layers on slopes and can be predicted with boundary layer theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00223670
- Volume :
- 48
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Physical Oceanography
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 130907253
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1175/JPO-D-17-0125.1