152
5 3D Level Modelling
Fig. 5.22 Exercise 24. Locations of Lagrangian floats, initially located south of y = 350 km, after
120 days of simulation
Findings presented here show an intrinsic coupling between the deep and surface flows in the western boundary region of the Atlantic Ocean. This suggests that
the density-driven DWBC operates to intensify the wind-driven Western Boundary
Current in the north Atlantic Ocean; that is, the Gulf Stream and its extension, the
North Atlantic Current. A number of recent research projects explore this coupling
mechanism which is deemed to have a substantial impact on the climate of northern
Europe on time scales of 10–20 years (Broecker, 1999).
5.8.4 Additional Exercise for the Reader
Repeat this exercise with β = 0, yielding the so-called f plane. Does the β-effect
have a noticeable influence on the dynamics of the Deep Western Boundary Current?
5.8.5 Improved Float Tracking
Float locations are defined as distances from the point of origin of the Cartesian
coordinate system. In this book, the point of origin is defined at the vertical velocity
grid point w at k = 1, j = 1 and i = 1, which is aligned with the sea surface.
Prediction of the displacement of a float requires information of velocity in adjacent
grid points. To this end, the grid cell containing the float need to be identified and the
rest follows. The procedure is demonstrated here using the x-direction only. Analog
recipes apply for the other velocity components, noting that treatment for the vertical
5 3D Level Modelling
Fig. 5.22 Exercise 24. Locations of Lagrangian floats, initially located south of y = 350 km, after
120 days of simulation
Findings presented here show an intrinsic coupling between the deep and surface flows in the western boundary region of the Atlantic Ocean. This suggests that
the density-driven DWBC operates to intensify the wind-driven Western Boundary
Current in the north Atlantic Ocean; that is, the Gulf Stream and its extension, the
North Atlantic Current. A number of recent research projects explore this coupling
mechanism which is deemed to have a substantial impact on the climate of northern
Europe on time scales of 10–20 years (Broecker, 1999).
5.8.4 Additional Exercise for the Reader
Repeat this exercise with β = 0, yielding the so-called f plane. Does the β-effect
have a noticeable influence on the dynamics of the Deep Western Boundary Current?
5.8.5 Improved Float Tracking
Float locations are defined as distances from the point of origin of the Cartesian
coordinate system. In this book, the point of origin is defined at the vertical velocity
grid point w at k = 1, j = 1 and i = 1, which is aligned with the sea surface.
Prediction of the displacement of a float requires information of velocity in adjacent
grid points. To this end, the grid cell containing the float need to be identified and the
rest follows. The procedure is demonstrated here using the x-direction only. Analog
recipes apply for the other velocity components, noting that treatment for the vertical