Modeling a turbulence effect in formation of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current

• Main Authors: Heinloo, J., Toompuu, A.
• Other Authors: Marine Systems Institute (MSI), Tallinn University of Technology (TTÜ)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2006
• Subjects: [SDU.OCEAN]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Ocean; Atmosphere; [SDU.STU]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences; Antarctic; Southern Ocean; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://hal.science/hal-00318225; https://hal.science/hal-00318225/document; https://hal.science/hal-00318225/file/angeo-24-3191-2006.pdf

International audience A simple model to determine a turbulence effect in formation of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is suggested. The model is founded on the theory of rotationally anisotropic turbulence and is set up as a generalization of the geostrophic description of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC). It predicts the turbulence effect as an additive correction to the flow velocity predicted by the geostrophic balance. The correction, calculated from the optimally analyzed hydrographic data in the Southern Ocean, results in an increased ACC total baroclinic volume transport and in a shift in the current velocity maximum to the south, if compared with the pure geostrophic estimate.