Statistics – Computation
Scientific paper
Sep 1999
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1999dps....31.4101l&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #31, #41.01
Statistics
Computation
Scientific paper
Numerical modeling of Titan by Hourdin et al. (Icarus, Vol. 117, p. 358, 1995) has suggested that the mean zonal circulation at 1 mb may be barotropically unstable. Their results indicate that large scale barotropic eddies may carry angular momentum equatorward from high latitudes, thereby closing the angular momentum budget, and may play an important role in the transport and mixing of chemical species and in the maintenance of the state of superrotation of the stratosphere. We have used a 2-dimensional, latitude-longitude model of the shallow-water equations on the sphere to investigate the dynamics of the interaction between transient eddies and the mean flow. High-resolution numerical experiments seem to show that a barotropically unstable latitudinal wind profile may be kept in steady state by thermal forcing, against the transport of angular momentum by the eddies. Furthermore, the mixing of trace species by the global circulation appears to depend strongly on latitude: tracer transport from the poles to lower latitudes is negligible, whereas there is considerable mixing by eddies up to some 60 degrees, where the unstable region lies. The possibility of this being due to polar vortex confinement will be discussed. This work is part of a global study of the net effect of eddies on the meridional transport of angular momentum and trace species. Its main goal is to develop a parameterisation of the effect of eddies, to be used in a 2-dimensional, latitude-altitude model of Titan coupling atmospheric dynamics, aerosol physics and chemistry. Such a model will be a cost-effective alternative to coupled 3D models, which are computationally very expensive.
Hourdin Fréderic
Luz M. G. C. D.
No associations
LandOfFree
Transport of chemical species by transient eddies in the stratosphere of Titan does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Transport of chemical species by transient eddies in the stratosphere of Titan, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Transport of chemical species by transient eddies in the stratosphere of Titan will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1556812