PHY-04 Cross-scale interactions: mesoscale and smaller
Surface Wave Effects on Coastal Submesoscale Currents
Peng Wang* , Sun Yat-sen University
James C. McWilliams, University of California, Los Angeles
Yusuke Uchiyama, Kobe University
Dongxiao Wang, Sun Yat-sen University
Daling Li Yi, Sun Yat-sen University

Surface waves are ubiquitous over the ocean and affect currents. Surface wave effects on currents can be divided into two categories, i.e., conservative and non-conservative wave effects. Conservative wave effects include Stokes drift, Stokes-Coriolis force and Stokes vortex force. Non-conservative wave effects include wave breaking, wave streaming, and wave-enhanced bottom drag. Here using numerical simulations, we show how surface waves affect coastal submesoscale currents. In particular, we demonstrate that wave streaming can drive a Lagrangian overturning circulation and an associated submesoscale front on the inner shelf; besides, we show that conservative wave effects can reduce the coastal upwelling but enhance the downwelling.