Mean Flow in the Gulf of Mexico
Mean Flow in the Gulf of Mexico
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DOI：
10.1175/2007jpo3802.1
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发表时间：
2008-07
影响因子：
3.5
通讯作者：
W. Sturges;K. Kenyon
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
W. Sturges;K. Kenyon
几个独立的资料来源表明，尽管墨西哥湾西部是一个封闭的盆地，但在墨西哥湾中部以西存在净上层质量通量O(3Sv)(Sv≡106m~3 S−1)。一个合理的解释是，这一净通量是由会聚的风驱动的Ekman泵向下泵送的，这是所有中纬度反气旋涡旋的典型特征。向下通量可随等压线向下延伸至O深度(500-600m)，并可通过涡旋混合作用达到更深的深度；环流的侵入和剥环循环提供了迫使深水通过尤卡坦海峡南下的机制。位势涡度图显示，很可能会有一股从西海湾返回尤卡坦海峡的深水水流。
Abstract Several independent data sources suggest that there is a net upper-layer mass flux O(3 Sv) (Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) to the west in the central Gulf of Mexico, even though the western gulf is a closed basin. A plausible explanation is that this net flux is pumped downward by the convergent wind-driven Ekman pumping, as is typical of all midlatitude anticlyclonic gyres. The downward flux can follow isopycnals to depths O(500–600 m) and deeper by eddy mixing; a mechanism for forcing deep water to the south through the Yucatan Channel is provided by the intrusion and ring-shedding cycle of the Loop Current. Potential vorticity maps show that a deep flow from the western gulf back to the Yucatan Channel is likely.