Cross-jet transport and mixing in a meandering jet

Guocheng Yuan

Brown University and WHOI

Abstract:
Abstract: An f-plane, quasi-geostrophic, 2 1/2 layer model is used to examine whether cross-jet transport can be enhanced at depth in a surface-intensified ocean jet, similar to the Gulf Stream. By using dynamical systems techniques, we find that cross-jet transport can be enhanced in the lower layer, but only when the vertical shear is sufficiently strong. Some preliminary results for understanding the role of transport barriers in controlling potential vorticity mixing will also be presented.