Nonlinear Dynamics of the Circulation Variability
in the Western Ocean

B. V. Khar’kov

Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

Received August 21, 2006; in final form, September 14, 2006

Abstract—The nonlinear dynamics of the low-frequency variability of a mid-latitude ocean are studied. The
mechanism of the separation of the western boundary current from the western wall, as well as the meridional
displacements of the separation point and the separated eastward jet, is analyzed. A regional barotropic quasi-
geostrophic eddy-resolving numerical model is used for the analysis. The flow in a rectangular domain is sim-
ulated by the constant inflow and outflow of fluid through the boundaries. A regime when the nonlinearity pre-
vails over the dissipation and the advection and terms are of the same order of magnitude is considered, which
is characteristic of the actual ocean. When the nonlinearity exceeds the threshold value, a periodic solution is
obtained. The solution is determined by the nonslip boundary condition at the western wall. The solution
obtained is studied in detail. The meridional displacements of the western boundary current separation point
with respect to the western wall and the separated eastward jet can reach a few hundred kilometers. Their inten-
sities and the intensity of the recirculation gyre in the western boundary current are found to oscillate with a
period of about five years.

DOI: 10.1134/S0001437007020038


Pleiades Publishing home page | journal home page | top

If you have any problems with this server, contact webmaster.