Naslov
A simple model of buoyancy-driven seasonal variability in the oceans

Autori
Orlić, Mirko

Izvornik
Bollettino di oceanologia teorica ed applicata (0393-196X) 11 (1993), 2; 93-101

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
sea level; water-flux; heat-flux; horizontal diffusion and advection

Sažetak
A simple model, simulating the response of an unbounded sea of constant depth to seasonally varying surface fluxes of heat and water, is presented. The theory capitalizes on the hydrostatic equilibrium and balance between thermal/haline inertia and vertical diffusion, the vertical advection being shown to be small for the spatially uniform forcing. The model predicts a 3-month lag of the sea behind the forcing, in fair agreement with observations. It also reproduces the order of magnitude of the observed temperature and salinity variations, while pointing to horizontal diffusion and advection as the probable causes of discrepancies. The approach seems suitable for an introductory course in physical oceanography, since it enables some observations to be explained in terms of simple physics, and also suggests how more complex modelling should proceed. Moreover, the model shows that the seasonal sea-level variations might be controlled not only by the isostatic heat- and water-flux effects, but by the non-isostatic water-flux influence as well - a finding which may inspire future research effort.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Geologija

POVEZANOST RADA