The modification of turbulent thermal wind balance by non-traditional effects

The meridional component of the earth's rotation is often neglected in geophysical contexts. This is referred to as the 'traditional approximation' and is justified by the typically small vertical velocity and aspect ratio of such problems. Ocean fronts are regions of strong horizontal buoyancy gradient and are associated with strong vertical transport of tracers and nutrients. Given these comparatively large vertical velocities, non-traditional rotation may play a role in governing frontal dynamics. Here the effects of non-traditional rotation on a front in turbulent thermal wind balance are considered using an asymptotic approach. Solutions are presented for a general horizontal buoyancy profile and examined in the simple case of a straight front. Non-traditional effects are found to depend strongly on the direction of the front and may lead to the generation of jets and the modification of the frontal circulation and vertical transport.

Automated summary

The meridional component of the earth's rotation, often neglected in geophysical contexts, plays an important role in governing frontal dynamics in the ocean. Ocean fronts, regions of strong horizontal buoyancy gradient, may exhibit non-traditional rotation effects leading to the generation of jets and modification of frontal circulation and vertical transport.