Circulation induced by river inflow in well mixed water over a sloping continental shelf

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · J. Phys. Oceanogr.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0485(1984)014<1703:CIBRII>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:5926232

Csanady, G T

The pressure field over a sloping continental shelf subject to freshwater runoff at the coast can be resolved into a nearly two-dimensional dynamic height field and a residual field, the latter arising from the interaction of baroclinity and topography. The residual field is essentially three-dimensional and so constituted as to supply the fluid for the baroclinic alongshore flow off a coastal source of buoyancy associated with the cross-isobath density gradients. The intensity of the induced residual circulation (its total transport in m/sup 3/ s/sup -1/) varies directly with the buoyancy input and bottom slope, and inversely with the zero-order alongshore flow velocity and Coriolis parameter. Over the Mid-Atlantic Bight continental shelf the runoff-induced residual circulation makes a generally weak contribution to the observed mean flow field. It could, however, be more important over a low-latitude shelf subject to high runoff.

• Research Organization: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-79EV10005
• OSTI ID: 5926232
• Journal Information: J. Phys. Oceanogr.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Phys. Oceanogr.; (United States) Vol. 14:11; ISSN JPYOB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580500* -- Oceanography-- (1980-1989)
ADVECTION
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
CONTINENTAL SHELF
CURRENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
MASS TRANSFER
RUNOFF
WATER CURRENTS