Ekman spiral in horizontally inhomogeneous ocean with varying eddy viscosity
Abstract
Classical Ekman spiral is generated by surface wind stress with constant eddy viscosity in
homogeneous ocean. In real oceans, the eddy viscosity varies due to turbulent mixing caused by
surface wind and buoyancy forcing. Horizontally inhomogeneous density produces vertical geostrophic
shear which contributes to current shear that also affects the Ekman spiral. Based on the similar
theoretical framework as the classical Ekman spiral, the baroclinic components of the Ekman spiral
caused by the horizontally inhomogeneous density are obtained analytically with the varying eddy
viscosity calculated from surface wind and buoyancy forcing using the K- Profile Parameterization
(KPP). Along with the three existing types of eddy viscosity due to pure wind forcing (zero surface
buoyancy flux), such an effect is evaluated using the climatological monthly mean data of surface
wind stress, buoyancy flux, ocean temperature and salinity, and mixed layer depth.
Description
The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00024-015-1063-4
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.Collections
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