Application of the ideas and techniques of classical fluid mechanics to some problems in physical oceanography

摘要: This review makes a case for describing many of the flows observed in our oceans, simply based on Euler equation, with (piecewise) constant density and suitable boundary conditions. The analyses start from mass conservation equations, expressed rotating, spherical coordinate system (but f -plane β approximations are also mentioned); five examples discussed. For three them, non-dimensionalization is introduced, single small parameter identified each case. These lead straightforwardly directly to new results for: waves Pacific Equatorial Undercurrent (EUC) thermocline (in -plane); nonlinear, three-dimensional model EUC-type detailed large gyres. other two exact solutions complete system: flow which corresponds underlying structure EUC; necessary requirement use non-conservative body force, produces type Antarctic Circumpolar Current. (All these have been discussed detail references cited.) concludes few comments how can be extended expanded. article part theme issue ‘Nonlinear water waves’.