An Effect of Solid Rotation on Diffusion Processes, with Possible Application to Largescale Turbulent Transports in the Atmosphere and the Ocean

摘要

A gas in solid rotation that is subjected to a radial temperature gradient develops a component of heat diffusion at right angles to the gradient. The magnitude of this diffusive flux, relative to the radial component, is 2 lambda omega/nu where lambda and nu are the mean free path and the mean radial speed of the molecules, respectively, and omega is the angular velocity of the system. Corresponding effects occur in diffusion of mass and momentum. It is suggested that the same effect becomes important in the large-scale turbulent transports in the atmosphere and the oceans. The prediction is that a general eastward eddy heat flux should occur. The eastward eddy heat fluxes in the Gulf Stream going up the gradient of temperature can be explained by this mechanism. More observations of the diffusive fluxes in the atmosphere and the oceans are, however, required to test the theory. (Author)