Wind Effects on the Buoyancy-Driven General Circulation in a Closed Basin Using a Two-Level Model

Abstract

Abstract Wind effects on buoyancy-driven circulation in a two-level rectangular basin are studied. The ocean is driven by positive and negative buoyancy fluxes in the northern and southern portions as well as wind stress of constant curl. In a model with a flat and frictionless bottom, a barotropic component is determined only by wind forcing. A baroclinic component of the wind-driven circulation, associated with horizontal density gradient, is reduced by horizontal diffusion; i.e., the wind-driven circulation is more barotropic with stronger diffusion. Meridional overturn induced by buoyancy fluxes is modified by the wind-driven circulation, for example, the southward upper-level flow, produced by positive and negative buoyancy fluxes in the northern and southern portions, greatly shifts to the western (eastern) boundary by cyclonic (anticyclonic) wind-driven circulation with realistic intensity. Relative importance of the wind-driven circulation to the buoyancy-driven circulation for meridional density ...