A simple predictive model for the structure of the oceanic pycnocline
A simple theory for the large-scale oceanic circulation is developed, relating pycnocline depth, Northern Hemisphere sinking, and low-latitude upwelling to pycnocline diffusivity and Southern Ocean winds and eddies. The results show that Southern Ocean processes help maintain the global ocean structure and that pycnocline diffusion controls low-latitude upwelling.
Gnanadesikan
A
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory and Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Program, Princeton University, Post Office Box CN710, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.