This concise introduction to the core fundamentals of fluid mechanics, non-equilibrium thermodynamics and the common approximations for geophysical fluid dynamics presents in addition a comprehensive approach to large-scale ocean circulation theory.
Ocean Dynamics' is a concise introduction to the fundamentals of fluid mechanics, non-equilibrium thermodynamics and the common approximations for geophysical fluid dynamics, presenting a comprehensive approach to large-scale ocean circulation theory. The book is written on the physical and mathematical level of graduate students in theoretical courses of physical oceanography, meteorology and environmental physics. An extensive bibliography and index, extensive side notes and recommendations for further reading, and a comparison with the specific atmospheric physics where applicable, makes this volume also a useful reading for researchers. Each of the four parts of the book - fundamental laws, common approximations, ocean waves, oceanic turbulence and eddies, and selected aspects of ocean dynamics - starts with elementary considerations, blending then classical topics with more advanced developments of fluid mechanics and theoretical oceanography. The last part covers the theory of the global wind-driven circulation in homogeneous and stratified regimes, the circulation and overturning in the Southern Ocean, and the global meridional overturning and thermohaline-driven circulation. Emphasis is placed on simple physical models rather than access to extensive numerical results, enabling students to understand and reproduce the complex theory mostly by analytical means. All equations and models are derived in detail and illustrated by numerous figures. The appendix provides short excursions into the mathematical background, such as vector analysis, statistics, and differential equations
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Part I Fundamental Laws. - Preliminaries. - Conservation Laws for Moving Fluids. - Part II Common Approximations. - Approximations Derived from Mode Filtering. - Approximations Relating to Density Changes and Geometric Conditions. - Geostrophic and Quasi-Geostrophic Motions. - Part III Ocean Waves. - Sound Waves. - Gravity Waves. - Long Waves. - Lagrangian Theory of Ocean Waves. - Forced Waves. - Part IV Oceanic Turbulence and Eddies. - Small-Scale Turbulence. - Geostrophic Turbulence. - Part V Aspects of Ocean Circulation Theory. - Forcing of the Ocean. - The Wind-Driven Circulation. - The Meridional Overturning of the Oceans. - The Circulation of the Southern Ocean. - Part VI Appendix. - Mathematical Basics. - Models of the Ocean Circulation List of Symbols. - Index.
