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The Circulation in the Western North Atlantic Determined by a Nonlinear Inverse Method

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Oceanic Circulation Models: Combining Data and Dynamics

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASIC,volume 284))

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Abstract

The circulation in the western North Atlantic is studied within the framework of a nonlinear finite difference geostrophic inverse model using hydrographic and currentmeter data. The nonlinear inverse formalism is first reviewed. A circulation scheme compatible with the data, the mass conservation and the potential density equation is then derived. The optimal circulation scheme presents variations in the Gulf Stream transport with longitude. The variations are explained by the interaction of the Gulf Stream with recirculating gyres.

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© 1989 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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Mercier, H. (1989). The Circulation in the Western North Atlantic Determined by a Nonlinear Inverse Method. In: Anderson, D.L.T., Willebrand, J. (eds) Oceanic Circulation Models: Combining Data and Dynamics. NATO ASI Series, vol 284. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1013-3_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1013-3_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6946-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-1013-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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