Ocean Circulation in Three Dimensions

An innovative survey of large-scale ocean circulation that links observations, conceptual models, numerical models, and theories.

Barry A. Klinger (Author), Thomas W. N. Haine (Author)

9780521768436, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 14 March 2019

484 pages, 159 b/w illus. 31 maps 8 tables
25.3 x 19.2 x 2.4 cm, 1.2 kg

Notable advances of the last quarter-century have deepened our appreciation of the three-dimensional nature of the ocean's large-scale circulation. This circulation has important implications for ocean chemistry and biology, atmospheric science, and climate. Ocean Circulation in Three Dimensions surveys both observations and theories of the time-mean circulation, enabling readers to see the relevance and limitations of leading theories, as well as the patterns linking the behavior of different oceans. The book covers “classical” topics of horizontal circulation, and expands them to include shallow wind-driven overturning, the deep global “conveyer belt”, high latitudes, the role of eddies, and the ocean's role in heat transport. Solutions to exercises are available online for instructor use. This textbook is ideal for students of physical oceanography, chemical oceanography and climate. It is also suitable for readers from related fields as it includes a summary of introductory topics.

1. Physical oceanography: methods and dynamical framework
2. Rotating and shallow water flow
3. Two-dimensional horizontal circulation
4. Surface and mixed layer properties
5. Depth-dependent gyre circulation
6. Equatorial circulation, shallow overturning, and up-welling
7. Eddies and small scale mixing
8. Deep meridional overturning
9. The Southern Ocean nexus
10. Arctic circulation
11. Heat flux, freshwater flux, and climate
Appendix A. Data sources
Appendix B. Vector calculus and spherical coordinates
Appendix C. Tables of notation and useful values
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Mechanics of fluids [TGMF], Oceanography [seas RBKC], Hydrology & the hydrosphere [RBK], Fluid mechanics [PHDF]