The Dynamics of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current

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Abstract
The dynamics of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) in a near-eddy-resolving model of the Southern Ocean (FRAM) are investigated. A streamwise coordinate system is used, rather than a more conventional approach of considering zonally averaged quantities. The motivation for this approach is the large deviation from a purely zonal flow made by the current. Comparisons are made with a zonal-mean analysis of the same model. It is found that the topographic form drag is the main sink of the momentum that is input by the wind. However, in contrast to a zonal-mean analysis other terms, namely, horizontal mixing, bottom friction, and advection of momentum, are no longer negligible. The total effect of transient eddies is to produce a drag on the mean flow, again in contrast to the zonally averaged case. The vertical penetration of stress is considered. A generalized formula is derived for the interfacial form stress averaged along a convoluted path and that includes nonquasigeostrophic effects. The i... Abstract The dynamics of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) in a near-eddy-resolving model of the Southern Ocean (FRAM) are investigated. A streamwise coordinate system is used, rather than a more conventional approach of considering zonally averaged quantities. The motivation for this approach is the large deviation from a purely zonal flow made by the current. Comparisons are made with a zonal-mean analysis of the same model. It is found that the topographic form drag is the main sink of the momentum that is input by the wind. However, in contrast to a zonal-mean analysis other terms, namely, horizontal mixing, bottom friction, and advection of momentum, are no longer negligible. The total effect of transient eddies is to produce a drag on the mean flow, again in contrast to the zonally averaged case. The vertical penetration of stress is considered. A generalized formula is derived for the interfacial form stress averaged along a convoluted path and that includes nonquasigeostrophic effects. The i...

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