Dispersive–Dissipative Eddy Parameterization in a Barotropic Model

Recently a new class of coarse-grained equations, known as α models, have been proposed for the mean motion of an ideal incompressible fluid. The use of one such model to represent the time-mean component of a turbulent β-plane circulation characterized by potential vorticity mixing is considered. In particular, the focus is on the wind-driven circulation in a shallow ocean basin, a problem well studied as a prototype of more realistic ocean dynamics. The authors demonstrate the ability of an α model to reproduce qualitatively the structure of a four-gyre circulation that forms (in the time mean) when the barotropic vorticity equation is driven by a symmetric, double-gyre wind forcing, and when the dissipation is weak. This is offered as a first step in assessing the utility of the α-model approach to simulating more complex geophysical flows.