The catalytic role of the beta effect in barotropization processes

DOI10.1017/JFM.2012.344zbMATH Open1275.76220arXiv1201.0657OpenAlexW3100149213WikidataQ57946342 ScholiaQ57946342MaRDI QIDQ2863376FDOQ2863376

A. Venaille, S. M. Griffies, G. K. Vallis

Publication date: 21 November 2013

Published in: Journal of Fluid Mechanics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: The vertical structure of freely evolving, continuously stratified, quasi-geostrophic flow is investigated. We predict the final state organization, and in particular its vertical structure, using statistical mechanics and these predictions are tested against numerical simulations. The key role played by conservation laws in each layer, including the fine-grained enstrophy, is discussed. In general, the conservation laws, and in particular that enstrophy is conserved layer-wise, prevent complete barotropization, i.e., the tendency to reach the gravest vertical mode. The peculiar role of the $$-effect, i.e. of the existence of planetary vorticity gradients, is discussed. In particular, it is shown that increasing $$ increases the tendency toward barotropization through turbulent stirring. The effectiveness of barotropisation may be partly parameterized using the Rhines scale $$. As this parameter decreases (beta increases) then barotropization can progress further, because the beta term provides enstrophy to each layer.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1201.0657

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zbMATH Keywords

quasi-geostrophic flowsturbulence theorygeostrophic turbulence

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

General theory of rotating fluids (76U05) Hydrology, hydrography, oceanography (86A05) Meteorology and atmospheric physics (86A10) Stratification effects in turbulence (76F45)

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Cited In (7)

• Langevin dynamics, large deviations and instantons for the quasi-geostrophic model and two-dimensional Euler equations
• Wave turbulence in the two-layer ocean model
• Eddy-mixing entropy and its maximization in forced-dissipative geostrophic turbulence
• Equilibrium statistical mechanics and energy partition for the shallow water model
• Hyperviscosity and statistical equilibria of Euler turbulence on the torus and the sphere
• Normal modes with boundary dynamics in geophysical fluids
• A statistical mechanics approach to mixing in stratified fluids

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