K. Ide, S. Wiggins
UCLA
kayo@atmos.ucla.edu
(Abstract received 08/01/2000 for session B)
ABSTRACT
Eulerian transport measures net amount of fluid particles and properties such as temperature and salinity, which migrate from one region to another across a stationary boundary over a time interval. In this talk we present a new theoretical framework for Eulerian transport where the stationary boundary is defined by a reference streamline based on dynamical systems approach. Our theory provides us with quantitative as well as geometrical information concerning Eulerian transport across any reference streamline over a finite or infinite time interval. Its relation to Lagrangian transport theory can be rigorously shown when the stationary boundary is chosen to compute the terminal transport between kinematically distinct flow regions. We demonstrate our theory using a data set obtained by numerical simulation of mid-latitude wind-driven ocean circulation. Finally we discuss future applications of Eulerian transport in physical oceanography.