Mellor, G. L., C. R. Mechoso, and E. Keto, 1982: A diagnostic calculation
of the general circulation of the Atlantic Ocean. Deep-Sea Research,
29 (10A), 1171-1192.
Abstract: The general circulation of the Atlantic Ocean is calculated
from the low Rossby number equations of motions where all frictional terms
except surface wind stress are neglected. Climatological sea surface wind
stress, temperature, and salinity, and bottom topography are inputs to
the calculation. Total transport is calculated by integrating the vertically
integrated equations of motion along contours of constant planetary potential
vorticity, f/H, where f is the Coriolis parameter and H
is the local depth. The integration begins on the eastern boundary of the
ocean where the total transport is assumed to be zero. Results are also
obtained for three transport components; Ekman transport, thermohaline
transport, and bottom velocity transport.
Despite the rather crude 1° x 1° calculation grid, the results
show considerable detail, particularly in the higher latitude Atlantic
Ocean. The calculations yield about a 25 x 106 m3
s-1 transport through the Straits of Florida increasing to a
maximum Gulf Stream transport of about 90; about 25 x 106 m3
s-1 of this is entrained flow from a southwestward, nearly barotropic
flow along the Middle Atlantic Bight continental slope.
Unlike the wind-driven, constant depth, Sverdrop transport result, total
transport streamlines are closed in the western boundary without need of
bottom or lateral friction in the governing equations.