Interacting scales and triad enstrophy transfers in generalized two-dimensional turbulence

Abstract

The local and nonlocal characteristics of triad enstrophy transfer in the enstrophy inertial range of generalized two-dimensional turbulence, so-called alpha turbulence, are investigated using direct numerical simulations, with a special emphasis on alpha=1 , 2, and 3. The enstrophy transfer via nonlocal triad interactions dominates the transfer dynamics in the enstrophy inertial range, irrespective of alpha . However, the contributions from more local interactions to the total enstrophy transfer increase as alpha decreases. The results are discussed in connection with the local and nonlocal transition of the enstrophy transfer at alpha=2 expected from the phenomenological scaling theory. The specific nature of the enstrophy transfer in surface quasigeostrophic turbulence (alpha=1) is also discussed.