Numerical modelling of ocean circulation using a vorticity-potential method

我们建议探索一种新的方法来计算模拟海洋环流的好处。该方法基于解决所谓的海洋“涡度平衡”，该平衡量化了使环流在水平方向上“旋转”更快和在垂直方向上“翻转”的过程。这种方法的主要优点是，它避免了需要解决的压力场，这是一个主要的误差来源，在地区的陡峭的底部地形。此外，我们许多最有用的海洋环流概念模型都是基于涡度的，因此将模型输出与这些概念模型联系起来应该更容易，有助于对结果进行物理解释。如果成功的话，这个概念验证项目应该为使用这种方法开发全球海洋环流模型的标准赠款申请铺平道路。从长远来看，这有可能改进用于气候预测的模型中的海洋部分。

We propose to explore the benefits of a new approach to computational modelling of the ocean circulation. The approach is based on solving the so called 'vorticity balance' of the ocean, which quantifies the processes that make the circulation 'spin' faster in the horizontal and 'overturn' in the vertical. The main advantage of this approach is that it avoids the need to solve for the pressure field, which is a major source of error in regions of steep bottom topography. Furthermore, many of our most useful conceptual models of the ocean circulation are based on vorticity, and hence it should be easier to relate the model output to these conceptual models, aiding physical interpretation of the results. If successful, this proof-of-concept project should pave the way for a standard grant application to develop a global ocean circulation model using this approach. In the longer term, this has the potential to improve the ocean component of models used for climate prediction.