On intermediate models for barotropic continental shelf and slope flow fields. Part III: comparison of numerical model solutions in periodic channels.

Abstract

Investigates the possible use of intermediate models for process and data assimilation studies of nonlinear mesoscale eddy and jet current fields over the continental shelf and slope. Concentration is on the application of these models to the f-plane shallow water equations. Accuracy of models is evaluated and ranked by comparison of numerical finite difference solutions with those of the quasi-geostrophic equations for flow in a periodic channel. Models considered are based on the balance equations, the balance equations derived from momentum equations, potential vorticity conserving linear balance equations, hybrid balance equations, near balance equations, a geostrophic vorticity approximation, the geostrophic momentum approximation, and the quasi-geostrophic momentum and full continuity equations. The ability of the models to represent linear agepstrophic coastally trapped waves, i.e., Kelvin and continental shelf waves, is verified by numerical experiments. (from author's abstract)