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On the implementation of open boundary conditions for a general circulaton model : the three-dimensional case

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Title On the implementation of open boundary conditions for a general circulaton model : the three-dimensional case
Names Palma, Elbio D. (creator)
Matano, Ricardo P. (creator)
Date Issued 2000-04-15 (iso8601)
Note copyrighted by American Geophysical Union
Abstract Tl1is article discusses the results of an experimental survey on the
performance of a select group of open boundary conditions (OBCs) for three-dimensional,
primitive equation models. The focus is on passive conditions, where
the model response at the open boundaries is dictated by the interior dynamics. The
performance of the OBCs is tested in a series of numerical experiments conducted
in a rotating channel which includes variable bottom topography and density
stratification. The experiments are selected to enhance nonlinear phenomena
that comprises advection and the propagation of dispersive waves. The first two
experiments study coastal upwelling with constant and time-varying wind forcing.
The third experiment analyses the barotropic and baroclinic response of a coastal
ocean due to the passage of a traveling storm. The open boundary condition with
the best overall performance is the flow relaxation scheme on sea surface elevation
and transport, a radiation condition for internal velocities, and a combined scheme
of flow advection and relaxation for the temperature field. A modified gravity
wave radiation scheme provides reasonable responses when combined with radiation
conditions for internal velocities and an advection equation for temperature if the
forcing is not changing direction rapidly at the open boundary. Schemes using the
method of characteristics or traditional wave advection schemes fail when combined
with radiation conditions for the baroclinic mode.
Genre Article
Identifier Matano, R. P., Palma, E. D., On the implementation of passive open boundary conditions for a general circulation model : the three-dimensional case, J. Geophys. Res., 105, C4.

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