Journal article

Energetic constraints on baroclinic eddy heat transport with a beta effect in the laboratory

Abstract:: Hypotheses involving energetic constraints and the down-gradient diffusion of heat in eddy parameterization theories are tested by estimating baroclinic eddy transports in rotating annulus laboratory experiments. Particle Imaging Velocimetry measurements are supplemented by numerical simulations to estimate variables not measured directly. The results with a topographic beta effect broadly support Fick's first law, and are consistent with the GEOMETRIC framework in which eddy buoyancy flux is constrained by total eddy energy. With the topographic beta effect, a relatively simple relation is observed between the eddy buoyancy flux and the total eddy energy, with the ratio quantifying the eddy transport efficiency. This efficiency decreases in more complex flow regimes with larger rotation rates, associated with the changing energy partition between eddy available potential energy and eddy kinetic energy. In the absence of a topographic beta effect, more complicated dependencies are found, suggesting roles for other variables.

Publication status:: Published

Peer review status:: Peer reviewed

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APA Style

Qian, C., Read, P. L., & Marshall, D. P. (2025). Energetic constraints on baroclinic eddy heat transport with a beta effect in the laboratory. Geophysical Research Letters, 52(5).

MLA Style

Qian, C., et al. “Energetic Constraints on Baroclinic Eddy Heat Transport with a Beta Effect in the Laboratory.” Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 52, no. 5, Wiley, 2025.

Chicago Style

Qian, C, PL Read, and DP Marshall. 2025. “Energetic Constraints on Baroclinic Eddy Heat Transport with a Beta Effect in the Laboratory.” Geophysical Research Letters 52 (5).
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Files:: Qian_et_al_2025_Energetic_constraints_on.pdf

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Publisher copy:: 10.1029/2024gl112196

Authors

+ Qian, C More by this author

Institution:: University of Oxford
Division:: MPLS
Department:: Physics
Sub department:: Atmos Ocean & Planet Physics
Oxford college:: Wadham College
Role:: Author

+ Read, PL More by this author

Institution:: University of Oxford
Division:: MPLS
Department:: Physics
Sub department:: Atmos Ocean & Planet Physics
Role:: Author

+ Marshall, DP More by this author

Institution:: University of Oxford
Division:: MPLS
Department:: Physics
Sub department:: Atmos Ocean & Planet Physics
Role:: Author

Publisher:: Wiley
Journal:: Geophysical Research Letters More from this journal
Volume:: 52
Issue:: 5
Article number:: e2024GL112196
Publication date:: 2025-02-28
Acceptance date:: 2025-01-01
DOI:: 10.1029/2024gl112196
EISSN:: 1944-8007
ISSN:: 0094-8276

Language:: English
Keywords:: eddy heat transport

energetic constraints

eddy parameterization
Pubs id:: 2084113
Local pid:: pubs:2084113
Deposit date:: 2025-02-06

Terms of use

Copyright holder:: Qian et al.
Copyright date:: 2025
Rights statement:: © 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Licence:: CC Attribution (CC BY)

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