Stommei-Arons Theory: Abyssal Flow on the Sphere
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Fig. 7.3.2. Enclosed ocean basin whose northern and southern boundaries are On and 0.,
respectively. The basin typically straddles the equator. A source of strength Sn lies at the northern
boundary, and a sourceS, is placed at the southern boundary. The inferred circulation is as shown
for the case where the two sources are equal, and where On= -0,. Note the northern and southern
boundary layers required to close the circulation provoked by the interior flow
(7.3.19)
The upwelling velocity is related to the sum of the source terms, i.e.:
Ss + Sn = woR 2 ( (7.3.20)
When, for example, Sn is zero the entire deep water source is in the south.
Again, this might be considered a model of the situation in the Pacific, which
lacks a deep water source in the northern hemisphere. In this case:
(7.3.21)
which vanishes where:
n _ . _1 {sin On}
u-Stn
-
2 - .
(7.3.22)
Thus the position of the point where the western boundary layer flow
changes direction is a function only of the latitude of the position of the
northern boundary of the basin. If On is 70° instead of 90° the position of the