Abstract
This paper presents an assessment of the seasonal variability of the velocity fields, mean and eddy kinetics, and available potential energies, and the energy conversion rates for the eddy and basin-scale circulation regimes. The data were obtained through the numerical modeling of the Black Sea circulation for 2011 and 2016. It revealed significant differences in the current structure in the southern and central sea parts for 2011 and 2016. In 2011, the Rim Current was an almost continuous cyclonic basin-scale gyre, while in 2016 a system of mesoscale anticyclones was observed in the southern part. The variability of the mean kinetic energy depends more on the circulation regime than on the season of the year, while the distribution of the mean available potential energy is predominantly seasonal. The eddy kinetic energy depends on both the circulation regime and the season. In winter, the energy transport from the mean current via a barotropic instability mechanism sustains the mesoscale eddy generation. In summer, the mesoscale variability in the basin-scale regime is provided by commensurate contributions of barotropic and baroclinic instability, and, in the eddy regime, mainly by the energy transport from the available potential energy through the baroclinic instability.
Highlights
The movement of water and air masses is accompanied by the transformation of energy in the system because of the barotropic and baroclinic instability of currents [1]
We found that the energy transport caused by barotropic and barotransport caused by barotropic and baroclinic instability can be commensurate with the clinic instability can be stress commensurate with the contribution of the wind stress work contribution of the wind work under a weakening of the wind forcing
The second important difference is the kinematics of eddies: in 2011, the most intense mesoscale eddies develop on the basin periphery above the continental slope; in 2016, such eddies are observed in the central part of the sea at depths of 1500–2000 m
Summary
The movement of water and air masses is accompanied by the transformation of energy in the system because of the barotropic and baroclinic instability of currents [1].A collaborative analysis of the regularities of circulation structure variability and the kinetic and potential energy budgets makes it possible to detect the most significant physical processes and to assess their influence on the fluxes of matter and energy in different spatial-temporal scales. The concept presented in [2,3] operates with such definitions as mean and eddy energies, characterizing some time-mean circulation and a time-varying deviation from this mean state, respectively. In this approach, the total energy is determined by four components: mean and eddy kinetic energies (MKE and EKE, respectively), and mean and eddy available potential energies (MPE and EPE, respectively). According to the Lorenz methodology, the general estimates of all components of the energy cycle for the global atmosphere and ocean are given in [4,5], respectively. Oceanologists use this method to investigate separate components of the energy cycle both on global [6,7] and regional [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
