A turbulence-resolving model for the southern ocean circulation with varying wind forcing

T. Sohail, B. Gayen, C. A. Vreugdenhil, A. McC. Hogg

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

We investigate the impact of buoyancy and wind stress on Southern Ocean transport through a fully resolved idealised direct numerical simulation model. A scaled re-entrant channel with zonal wind forcing, differential heating over the surface and bottom topography is used to model transport in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC). Cooling over the southern portion of the domain triggers convection. Our simulations fully resolve all length scales, resulting in a more accurate representation of small-scale processes like convection and eddy formation and their impact on mean transport. Results suggest that surface wind stress enhances the isopycnal slope across the channel, leading to baroclinic instability and the formation of small-scale baroclinic eddies.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 20th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, AFMC 2006
PublisherAustralasian Fluid Mechanics Society
ISBN (Electronic)9781740523776
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Event20th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, AFMC 2006 - Perth, Australia
Duration: 5 Dec 20168 Dec 2016

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 20th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, AFMC 2016

Conference

Conference20th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, AFMC 2006
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityPerth
Period5/12/168/12/16

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