The influence of the ambient flow on the spreading of convected water masses

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ID: 304679
1998
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Abstract
We investigate the ine uence of a cyclonic vortical e ow on the lateral spreading of newly mixed e uid generated through localized deep convection. Localized open ocean deep convection often occurs within such a cyclonic gyre circulation, since the associated upwardly domed isopycnals and weaker stratie cation locally precondition the ocean for deeper convection. In the absence of ambient e ow, localized convection has been shown to result in strong lateral e uxes of buoyancy generated by baroclinic instability, sufficient to offset the local surface buoyancy loss and limit the density anomaly of the convectively generated water mass. Here we examine the consequences of a cyclonic ambient e ow on this baroclinic instability and lateral mixing. To isolate the ine uence of the circulation on this later stage of localized convection, we parameterize the convective mixing by the introduction of baroclinic point vortices (‘ ‘ hetons’ ’ ) in a two-layer quasi-geostrophic model, and prescribe the initial e ow by a patch of constant potential vorticity. Linear stability analysis of the combined system of pre-existing cyclonic vortex and convectively generated baroclinic vortex indicates scenarios in which the pre-existing cyclonic circulation can modify the baroclinic instability. Numerical experiments with the two-layer QG model show that the effectiveness of the lateral heat e uxes can be strongly diminished by the action of the pre-existing circulation, thereby increasing the density anomaly of the convected water mass.
Reference Key
openalex_W1977417927 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Sonya Legg, John Marshall
Journal journal of marine research
Year 1998
DOI
10.1357/002224098321836136
URL
https://doi.org/10.1357/002224098321836136
Keywords Keywords not found

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