Relationship between Three-Dimensional Radiation Stress and Vortex-Force Representations

In numerical ocean models, the effect of waves on currents is usually expressed by either vortex-force or radiation stress representations. In this paper, the differences and similarities between those two representations are investigated in detail in conditions of both conservative and nonconservative waves. In addition, comparisons between different sets of equations of mean motion that apply different representations of wave-induced forcing terms are included. The comparisons are useful for selecting a suitable numerical ocean model to simulate the mean current in conditions of waves combined with currents.

Automated summary

This paper investigates the effects of waves on currents in numerical ocean models using vortex-force and radiation stress representations. The study compares the differences and similarities between the two representations under conditions of conservative and nonconservative waves, as well as different sets of equations of mean motion incorporating wave-induced forcing terms. These comparisons aid in the selection of a suitable numerical ocean model for simulating mean currents in combined wave and current conditions.