Oceanic time variability near a large scale topographic circulation

The oceanic circulation around a large scale topographic anomaly is studied using a numerical quasigeostrophic (QG) model. This simulation bears important similarities to a real ocean case, the Zapiola Anticyclone (ZA). The simple physics of the model allow the identification of two controlling parameters of the topographic circulation: bottom friction and eddy diffusivity. The role of these parameters was predicted in the theory proposed by Dewar [Dewar, W. K., 1998. Topography and barotropic transport control by bottom friction. J. Mar. Res. 56, 295-328] for the mean flow. This paper focuses on the time variability of the simulated circulation. The topography energizes the low frequency band, due to variations of the topographic circulation and its collapses. A local mode varies the amplitude of the topographic circulation and is related to the eddy field activity. The model shows that the trapped circulation can be shed away from the topography due to an increased sensitivity to the background flow perturbations. In the mesoscale band, a mode one anticyclonic wave also appears. We compare these features with similar observations in the Zapiola region. The location and strength of the ZA raise the question of its role in the mean regional oceanic circulation. This work suggests that its variability on a variety of temporal scales may also be of importance. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.