Deciphering the Role of Small-Scale Inhomogeneity on Geophysical Flow Structuration: A Stochastic Approach

• DOI: 10.1175/jpo-d-19-0164.1
• Publication Date: 2020-02-11T17:09:17Z
• Authors: Werner Bauer; Pranav Chandramouli; Bertrand Chapron; Long Li; Etienne Mémin
• Keywords: Structuring; Stokes drift; Circulation (fluid dynamics); Representation

Abstract An important open question in fluid dynamics concerns the effect of small scales structuring a flow. In oceanic or atmospheric flows, this is aptly captured wave–current interactions through study well-known Langmuir secondary circulation. Such are described by Craik–Leibovich system, which action wave-induced velocity, Stokes drift, produces so-called “vortex force” that causes streaking work, we show these results can be generalized as generic spatial inhomogeneity statistical properties small-scale flow components. As demonstrated, well stochastic representation