Abstract
Inviscid equilibria of barotropic flows over finite-amplitude topography are determined by means of statistical mechanics, extending previous quasigeostrophic theory. Imposing constraints of energy and enstrophy conservation leads to a linear relation between equilibrium mean potential vorticity and mean transport streamfunction. This relation is tested numerically and is found to hold over a wide range of topographic amplitudes. Implications for improving parameterizations of entropy generation by eddies are discussed.
Corresponding author address: William J. Merryfield, Institute of Ocean Sciences, P.O. Box 6000, 9860 West Saanich Road, Sidney, BC V8L 4B2, Canada.Email: merryfieldw@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca