Techniques in Oceanography: Chaotic Advection in Ocean Mesoscale Structures

Assessing the transport of fluid across such ocean structures as the Gulf Stream, and the exchange of fluid between its constituent parts, is essential for a clear understanding of the distribution of fluid properties, such as temperature and salinity in the Ocean. There have been significant advances recently in applying the techniques of dynamical systems to numerical models and assessing the significance of the fluid exchange resulting from the mechanism known as "chaotic advection." A major hurdle has been overcome in adapting the techniques previously developed for periodic systems to aperiodic flows. However, to make effective applications to realistic flows, and in particular numerical models of real ocean situations, further devlopment is needed as the output of the models extends over only finite times. An efficient operational strategy for determining the extent of chaotic mixing in realistic models promises important applications in both oceanography and atmospheric sciences. A key to this development is a close working relationship between applied dynamicists and oceanographers. This workshop brought together researchers from both areas and provided an opportunity to share the recent advances in the different fields; it also provided a forum for setting an agenda for future activity.

Partially supported by the Office of Naval Research.