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Modeling the intrusion of the Loop Current into the Gulf of Mexico.

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Title:	Modeling the intrusion of the Loop Current into the Gulf of Mexico.
Authors:	Lugo-Fernández, A.¹ alfrecife@bellsouth.net
Source:	Dynamics of Atmospheres & Oceans. Dec2018, Vol. 84, p46-54. 9p.
Subjects:	Loop Current, Vortex motion, Kinetic energy, Sea level, Shallow-water equations
Abstract:	Highlights • The Loop Current (LC) intrudes with constant relative vorticity along isopleths of the Bernoulli function that has a downward parabolic shape. • The advection of relative vorticity causes the intruding inflow to split into a northward flow on the west side and a southward flow on the east side. • Transport imbalance creates volume storage within the Gulf such that the LC surface area has a steady dA/dt and frontal velocity during intrusion. • A decrease in kinetic energy across the LC creates a sea level slope that reinforces the northward and opposes the southward flows by Coriolis. Abstract The Loop Current (LC) intrusion into the Gulf of Mexico is analyzed using steady, 2-D nonlinear shallow water equations expressed in Cartesian and natural coordinates. The model suggests that the LC moves with constant relative vorticity along isopleths of the Bernoulli function B such that its surface area (A) has a steady dA/dt and frontal velocity. The intrusion is envisioned as an initial transport imbalance that creates volume storage within the Gulf. Because of the advection of relative vorticity, the intruding inflow splits into a northward flow on the west and a southward flow on the east. The storage creates a sea level difference across the LC that induces a northward force due to Coriolis. This force reinforces the northward flow but opposes the southward flow, helping store water inside the Gulf. This sea level difference is in addition to the one in the B field. The storage implies loss of kinetic energy, which creates a speed shear across the LC and gives rise to the small speed of the LC front. The relative vorticity equation in natural coordinates reveals three aspects of the LC: (1) a velocity difference across the LC, (2) a parabolic shape of the sea surface; and (3) a negative curvature of the LC meaning the velocity changes direction anticyclonically along the B-contours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Engineering Source

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Abstract:	Highlights • The Loop Current (LC) intrudes with constant relative vorticity along isopleths of the Bernoulli function that has a downward parabolic shape. • The advection of relative vorticity causes the intruding inflow to split into a northward flow on the west side and a southward flow on the east side. • Transport imbalance creates volume storage within the Gulf such that the LC surface area has a steady dA/dt and frontal velocity during intrusion. • A decrease in kinetic energy across the LC creates a sea level slope that reinforces the northward and opposes the southward flows by Coriolis. Abstract The Loop Current (LC) intrusion into the Gulf of Mexico is analyzed using steady, 2-D nonlinear shallow water equations expressed in Cartesian and natural coordinates. The model suggests that the LC moves with constant relative vorticity along isopleths of the Bernoulli function B such that its surface area (A) has a steady dA/dt and frontal velocity. The intrusion is envisioned as an initial transport imbalance that creates volume storage within the Gulf. Because of the advection of relative vorticity, the intruding inflow splits into a northward flow on the west and a southward flow on the east. The storage creates a sea level difference across the LC that induces a northward force due to Coriolis. This force reinforces the northward flow but opposes the southward flow, helping store water inside the Gulf. This sea level difference is in addition to the one in the B field. The storage implies loss of kinetic energy, which creates a speed shear across the LC and gives rise to the small speed of the LC front. The relative vorticity equation in natural coordinates reveals three aspects of the LC: (1) a velocity difference across the LC, (2) a parabolic shape of the sea surface; and (3) a negative curvature of the LC meaning the velocity changes direction anticyclonically along the B-contours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	03770265
DOI:	10.1016/j.dynatmoce.2018.10.003