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Article: A Diagnostic Model of the Nordic Seas and Arctic Ocean Circulation: Quantifying the Effects of a Variable Bottom Density along a Sloping Topography
- Article from:
- Journal of Physical Oceanography
- Article date:
- December 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright American Meteorological Society Dec 2008. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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ABSTRACT
A linear diagnostic model, solving for the time-mean large-scale circulation in the Nordic seas and Arctic Ocean, is presented. Solutions on depth contours that close within the Nordic seas and Arctic Ocean are found from vorticity balances integrated over the areas enclosed by the contours. Climatological data for wind stress and hydrography are used as input to the model, and the bottom geostrophic flow is assumed to follow depth contours. Comparison against velocity observations shows that the simplified dynamics in the model capture many aspects of the large-scale circulation.
Special attention is given to the dynamical effects of an along-isobath varying bottom density, which ...