On diapycnal mixing induced by internal tidal waves in the Arctic Ocean

In order to reproduce the diapycnal mixing induced by internal tidal waves (ITWs) in the Arctic Ocean, we use a modified version of the three-dimensional finite-element hydrothermodynamic model QUODDY-4. We found that the average (over the tidal cycle) and integral (by depth) baroclinic tidal energy dissipation rate in individual areas of the Siberian continental shelf and in the straits between the Canadian Arctic archipelago are much higher than in the open ocean and its values on ridges and troughs are qualitatively similar to one another. Moreover, in the area of open-ocean ridges, the baroclinic tidal energy dissipation rate increases as it approaches the bottom, but only in the bottom boundary layer; on the Mid-Atlantic and Hawaii ridges, such an increase is observed within a few hundreds of meters away from the bottom. The average (in area and depth of the open ocean) coefficient of diapycnal mixing defined by the baroclinic tidal energy dissipation rate is higher than the coefficient of molecular kinematic viscosity and only a few times lower than the canonical value of the coefficient of vertical turbulent viscosity, which is used in models of global oceanic circulation. Coupled with the reasoning on the localization of baroclinic tidal energy dissipation, this fact leads to the conclusion that disregarding the contribution that ITW-induced diapycnal mixing makes to the ocean-climate formation is hardly justified.     

Dissipation of baroclinic tidal energy and diapycnal mixing in the White Sea

The modeling results obtained using the original version of the three-dimensional finite-element hydrostatic model QUODDY-4 testify that the spatial distributions of dissipation of baroclinic tidal energy and the related coefficient of diapycnal mixing in the deepwater stratified subdomain of the White Sea (the Basin and Kandalaksha and Dvina bays together) are highly similar to those found for low- and midlatitude oceans. It is in the open part of the sea that their values remain equal to the minimum possible values determined by the molecular kinematic viscosity; at its lateral boundaries (not all boundaries, but only individual segments (sites of mixing)), their values increase. In the shallow homogeneous subdomain of the White Sea, the dissipation of baroclinic tidal energy is considerably larger than in the deep stratified subdomain. Accordingly, the vertical eddy viscosity in the first subdomain is a few orders of magnitude higher than the coefficient of diapycnal mixing in the second subdomain. This is caused by an increased tidal velocity due to reduced depths.     

Numerical study of baroclinic tides in Luzon Strait

The spatial and temporal variations of baroclinic tides in the Luzon Strait (LS) are investigated using a three-dimensional tide model driven by four principal constituents, O₁, K₁, M₂ and S₂, individually or together with seasonal mean summer or winter stratifications as the initial field. Barotropic tides propagate predominantly westward from the Pacific Ocean, impinge on two prominent north-south running submarine ridges in LS, and generate strong baroclinic tides propagating into both the South China Sea (SCS) and the Pacific Ocean. Strong baroclinic tides, ∼19 GW for diurnal tides and ∼11 GW for semidiurnal tides, are excited on both the east ridge (70%) and the west ridge (30%). The barotropic to baroclinic energy conversion rate reaches 30% for diurnal tides and ∼20% for semidiurnal tides. Diurnal (O₁ and K₁) and semidiurnal (M₂) baroclinic tides have a comparable depth-integrated energy flux 10–20 kW m⁻¹ emanating from the LS into the SCS and the Pacific basin. The spring-neap averaged, meridionally integrated baroclinic tidal energy flux is ∼7 GW into the SCS and ∼6 GW into the Pacific Ocean, representing one of the strongest baroclinic tidal energy flux regimes in the World Ocean. About 18 GW of baroclinic tidal energy, ∼50% of that generated in the LS, is lost locally, which is more than five times that estimated in the vicinity of the Hawaiian ridge. The strong westward-propagating semidiurnal baroclinic tidal energy flux is likely the energy source for the large-amplitude nonlinear internal waves found in the SCS. The baroclinic tidal energy generation, energy fluxes, and energy dissipation rates in the spring tide are about five times those in the neap tide; while there is no significant seasonal variation of energetics, but the propagation speed of baroclinic tide is about 10% faster in summer than in winter. Within the LS, the average turbulence kinetic energy dissipation rate is O(10⁻⁷) W kg^{− 1} and the turbulence diffusivity is O(10⁻³) m²s⁻¹, a factor of 100 greater than those in the typical open ocean. This strong turbulence mixing induced by the baroclinic tidal energy dissipation exists in the main path of the Kuroshio and is important in mixing the Pacific Ocean, Kuroshio, and the SCS waters.     

Critical Latitude in Tidal Dynamics Using the Kara Sea as an Example

It is well known that, within the linear nonviscous equations of tidal dynamics, the amplitudes of oscillations of the barotropic and baroclinic tidal velocity components unlimitedly increase when approaching the critical latitude. It is also known that the linear equations of tidal dynamics with a constant and specified vertical eddy viscosity indicate the occurrence of significant tidal velocity shears in the near-bottom layer, which are responsible for increasing the baroclinic tidal energy dissipation, the turbulent kinetic energy, and the thickness of the bottom boundary layer. The first circumstance—the growth of the amplitudes of oscillations of the barotropic and baroclinic tidal velocity components—is due to the elimination in the original equations of small terms, which are small everywhere except for the critical latitude zone. The second circumstance—the occurrence of significant tidal velocity shears—is due to the fact that internal tidal waves, which induce the dissipation of the baroclinic tidal energy and the diapycnal diffusion, are either not taken into account or described inadequately. It is suggested that diapycnal diffusion can lead to the degeneration (complete or partial) of tidal velocity shears, with all the ensuing consequences. The aforesaid is confirmed by simulation results obtained using the QUODDY-4 high-resolution three-dimensional finite-element hydrostatic model along the 66.25° E section, which passes in the Kara Sea across the critical latitude.     

Once again: once again—tidal friction

Topex/Poseidon (T/P) altimetry has reopened the problem of how tidal dissipation is to be allocated. There is now general agreement of a M₂ dissipation by 2.5 Terawatts (1 TW = 10¹² W), based on four quite separate astronomic observational programs. Allowing for the bodily tide dissipation of 0.1 TW leaves 2.4 TW for ocean dissipation. The traditional disposal sites since (1920) have been in the turbulent bottom boundary layer (BBL) of marginal seas, and the modern estimate of about 2.1 TW is in this tradition (but the distribution among the shallow seas has changed radically from time to time). Independent estimates of energy flux into the marginal seas are not in good agreement with the BBL estimates.T/P altimetry has contributed to the tidal problem in two important ways. The assimilation of global altimetry into Laplace tidal solutions has led to accurate representations of the global tides, as evidenced by the very close agreement between the astronomic measurements and the computed 2.4 TW working of the Moon on the global ocean. Second, the detection by and (1996) of small surface manifestation of internal tides radiating away from the Hawaiian chain has led to global estimates of 0.2 to 0.4 TW of conversion of surface tides to internal tides. Measurements of ocean microstructure yields 0.2 TW of global dissipation by pelagic turbulence (away from topography). We propose that pelagic turbulence is maintained by topographic scattering of barotropic into baroclinic tidal energy, via internal tides and internal waves. Previous estimates by (1974); , (1982)) of this conversion along 150,000 km of continental coastlines gave a negligible 0.02 TW; evidently the important conversion takes place along mid-ocean ridges.The maintenance of the abyssal global stratification requires a much larger expenditure of power. 2 TW versus 0.2 TW. This is usually attributed to wind forcing. If tidal power is to play a significant role here, then the BBL estimates need to be reduced. The challenge is to estimate dissipation from the energy flux divergence in the T/P adjusted tidal models, without prior assumptions concerning the dissipation processes.     

东海东南陆架外缘冬、夏季实测海流FFT分析

使用FFT法首次将东海陆架冬、夏季2次定点ADCP测流资料在频率域内分解成3个部分：不随时间变化的定常海流、周期为6～25h的潮流和剩余流,再将潮流分解为垂向均匀的全流(也称正压潮流)和剩余的斜压潮流。结果表明：夏季测站定常海流、潮流和剩余流能量分别占总能量的5．3％,93．9％和0．9％,而冬季测站分别占10．8％,80．9％和8．4％。夏、冬季测站的斜压潮流与正压潮流能量之比分别为20．7％和4．1％。     

Simulation of surface and internal semidiurnal tides in the Kara Sea

The problem of the dynamics of surface and internal waves M ₂ in the Kara Sea is solved within the QUODDY-4 3D finite-element hydrostatic model. It is shown that the conventional concept of surface-tide wave generation due to the interaction of two tidal waves (one arrives from the Barents Sea and the other is generated in the Arctic Ocean (AO) and propagates southward along the west coasts of Severnaya Zemlya) is only partially valid: the east branch of the tidal wave generated in the AO actually exists, but there is also a west branch that propagates along the St. Anna trough and another tidal wave that penetrates in the Kara Sea from the Laptev Sea through the Vilkitsky Strait. Simulated spatial distributions of the tidal velocities, amplitudes of internal tidal waves at the pycnocline depth, and some components of the budgets of barotropic and baroclinic tidal energy are discussed.     

Some features of tidal motion near the Guinean shelf

We have determined the energetic and spatial characteristics of baroclinic and barotropic tidal semi-diurnal fluctuations using the current temperature and velocity data collected by 12 self-contained buoy stations (SCBS) near the shelf of the Republic of Guinea at depths ranging from 50 to 1000 m. Intensive baroclinic motion was observed to prevail near the bottom within the depth range 100–1000 m. The energy of long waves largely propagated from the bottom to the surface, whereas the energy of short waves was transferred in the opposite direction.Translated by V. Puchkin.     

Atlas of ocean tidal charts and maps,Part I: The semidiurnal principal lunar tide M2

Abstract

In this paper the author presents the NSWC ocean tide model of the semidiurnal principal lunar (M₂) tide in an atlas of ocean tidal charts and maps. The model is the computer result of a unique combination of mathematical and empirical techniques, which was introduced, extensively tested, and evaluated by Schwiderski (1978a, 1980a, b, 1983e). The computed M₂ amplitudes and phases are tabulated along with all specially labeled empirical input data on a 1° × 1 ° grid system in 42° × 71° overlapping charts covering the whole oceanic globe. Corresponding global and arctic corange and cotidal maps are included to provide a quick overview of the major tidal phenomena. Significant qualitative and quantitative features are explained and discussed for proper application. In particular, the charted harmonic constants may be used to compute instantaneous M₂ ocean tides with an accuracy of better than 5 cm any time and anywhere in the open oceans. Limitations of this accuracy in coastal waters and border seas are mentioned.

The following four sections of this paper deal with brief reviews, detailed evaluations, and simple improvements of general and special applications of the NSWC ocean tide model. In spite of the numerous and diverse applications with potential possibilities of erroneous interpretations, the results are gratifying without exceptions. For instance, it is concluded that the computed low‐degree spherical harmonic coefficients of the M₂ ocean tide model agree with recent empirical satellite solutions as closely as one could wish for within the elaborated nonmodel error bounds. Detailed computations of all significant tidal energy terms produced the following noteworthy results: The rate of supplied tidal energy of 3.50Z10¹² Watt matches Cartwright's (1977) estimate of 3.5Z10¹² Watt. The rate of energy loss by bottom friction and displacement over the shelves is 1.50Z10¹² Watt, which fits into Miller's (1966) estimated range of (1.4–1.7)Z10¹² Watt, with a clear bias toward his preferred lower bound. Perhaps most remarkably, the computed range (0.41–0.60)Z10¹² Watt for the rate of deep bottom friction work done by the unresolved fluctuating (internal or baroclinic) currents contains in its center Munk's (1966) estimate of 0.5Z10¹² Watt and lies safely below Wunsch's (1975) extreme upper bound of 0.7Z10¹² Watt, which both authors derived for the rate of energy needed to sustain the internal tidal circulations. As is commonly believed, the results substantiate the fact that the total rate of ocean eddy dissipation (into heat) by the averaged (surface or barotropic) currents and their fluctuating comotions is negligible within three significant figures. Finally, the total tidal energy budget of the oceans is perfectly balanced in realistic terms. Budget deficits in earlier tide models were traced to the following tacit assumptions: The ocean bottom tide is doing positive work on the oceans against the ocean tide. In fact, the bottom displacement work by the ocean tide against the bottom tide is an energy loss at the rate of 1.64Z10¹² Watt. The transfer of G. I. Taylor's quadratic bottom friction term from the Irish Sea to the global oceans without accounting for major differences in area resolution scales is directly responsible for significant budget deficits in semiempirical estimates. In contrast, the hydrodynamically more consistent and realistic linear law of bottom friction encountered no serious transplantation difficulties.     

Verification studies for a z-coordinate primitive-equation model: Tidal conversion at a mid-ocean ridge

We document the accuracy and convergence of solutions for a z-coordinate primitive-equation model of internal tide generation and propagation. The model, which is based on MOM3 numerics, is linearized around a state of rest to facilitate comparison with analytic estimates of baroclinic generation at finite-amplitude topography in a channel forced by barotropic tidal flow at its boundaries. Unlike the analytical model, the numerical model includes mixing of both buoyancy and momentum, and several definitions of “baroclinic conversion” are possible. These are clarified by writing out the energetics of the linearized equations in terms of barotropic kinetic energy, baroclinic kinetic energy, and available potential energy. The tidal conversion computed from the model, defined as the rate of conversion of barotropic kinetic energy into available potential energy, agrees well with analytical predictions. A comparison of different treatments of bottom topography (full-cells, partial-cells, and ghost-cells) indicates that the partial-cell treatment is the most accurate in this application. Convergence studies of flow over a smooth supercritical ridge show that the dissipation along tidal characteristics is, apparently, an integrable singularity. When the ocean bottom is not smooth, the accuracy and convergence of the model depend on the power spectrum of the topography. A numerical experiment suggests that the power spectrum of the resolved topography must roll off faster than k⁻² to obtain convergent results from a linear numerical model of this type.     

Numerical study of tide-induced mixing over rough bathymetry in the abyssal ocean

Locally enhanced turbulent mixing over rough bottom bathymetry is one of the candidates that might make up for the lack of diapycnal diffusivity in maintaining the global overturning circulation. In the present study, using a two-dimensional vertical numerical model for the Brazil Basin, we numerically examine the intensity and vertical structure of tide-induced mixing over multi-beam bottom bathymetry via the comparison with those over somewhat smoothed bottom bathymetry. Note that even this smoothed bottom bathymetry is finer than in commonly used datasets. In comparison to the response over the smoothed bottom bathymetry, energy dissipation rates are enhanced within a few hundred meters over the multi-beam bottom bathymetry. In spite of several limitations of the two-dimensional vertical numerical model, the magnitude and vertical distribution of the calculated dissipation rates agree well with those from microstructure measurements. We find that tidal interaction with fine-scale (≤2 km) bottom bathymetry efficiently generates high wavenumber internal waves, which are subject to local energy dissipation and hence strongly control the abyssal mixing; the most important finding is that the intensity and vertical decay scale of abyssal mixing are in a trade-off relationship with each other, which is not taken into account in the existing parameterizations.     

Vertical structure of the M<Subscript>2</Subscript> tidal current in the Yellow Sea

The vertical structure of the M₂ tidal current in the Yellow Sea is analyzed from data acquired using an acoustic Doppler current profiler. The observed vertical profiles of the M₂ tidal current are decomposed into two rotating components of counter-clockwise and clockwise, and restructured using a simple one-point model with a constant vertical eddy viscosity. The analyzed results show that the internal fictional effect dominates the vertical structure of the tidal current in the bottom boundary layer. In the Yellow Sea, the effect of the bottom friction reduces the current speed by about 20–40% and induces the bottom phase advance by about 15–50 minutes. In the shallower coastal regions, the effects of bottom topography are more prominent on the vertical structure of tidal currents. The vertical profile of the tidal current in summer, when the water column is strongly stratified, is disturbed near the pycnocline layer. The stratification significantly influences the vertical shear and distinct seasonal variation of the tidal current.     

珠江河口潮能收支研究

Tidal energy budget in the Zhujiang(Pearl River) Estuary(ZE) is evaluated by employing high-resolution baroclinic regional ocean modeling system(ROMS). The results obtained via applying the least square method on the model elevations are compared against the tidal harmonic constants at 18 tide stations along the ZE and its adjacent coast. The mean absolute errors between the simulation and the observation of M_2, S_2, K_1 and O_1 are 4.6, 2.8, 3.2 and 2.8 cm in amplitudes and 9.8°, 15.0°, 4.6° and 4.6° in phase-lags, respectively. The comparisons between the simulated and observed sea level heights at 11 tide gauge stations also suggest good model performance. The total tidal energy flux incoming the ZE is estimated to be 343.49 MW in the dry season and larger than 336.18 MW in the wet season, which should due to higher mean sea level height and heavier density in the dry season. M_2, K_1, S_2, O_1 and N_2, the top five barotropic tidal energy flux contributors for the ZE,import 242.23(236.79), 52.97(52.08), 24.49(23.96), 16.22(15.91) and 7.10(6.97) MW energy flux into the ZE in dry(wet) season, successively and respectively. The enhanced turbulent mixing induced by eddies around isolated islands and sharp headlands dominated by bottom friction, interaction between tidal currents and sill topography or constricted narrow waterways together account for the five energy dissipation hotspots, which add up to about 38% of the total energy dissipation inside the ZE.     

Three-dimensional numerical model study of the residual current in the South China Sea

A three-dimensional baroclinic shelf sea model is employed to simulate the tidal and non-tidal residual current in the South China Sea. The four most significant constituents, M₂, S₂, K₁ and O₁, are included in the experiments with tidal effect. At most stations, the computed harmonic constants agree well with the observed ones. The circulations of the South China Sea in summer (August) and winter (December) are mainly discussed. It is shown that the barotropic tidal residual current is too weak to affect the South China Sea circulation, whilst the contribution of the baroclinic tidal residual current to the South China Sea circulation would be important in the continental shelf sea areas, especially in the Gulf of Thailand and Gulf of Tonkin. In the deep-sea areas, the upper barotropic or baroclinic tidal residual current is relatively very weak, however, the speed order of the deep baroclinic tidal residual current can be the same as that of the mean current without tidal effect. Moreover, the baroclinic tidal residual current seems to be related to the different seasonal stratification of ocean.     

Baroclinic circulation and its high frequency variability in Otsuchi Bay on the Sanriku ria coast,Japan

Hydrographic observations were made in Otsuchi Bay on the Sanriku ria coast, Japan, to provide clear images of the baroclinic circulation extending over the bay together with the associated intrusion of lower-layer water (bottom water) from outside the bay. In summer, a prominent baroclinic circulation with flow speeds \({>} 0.1\ \text{ m }\ \text{ s }^{-1} \) extends over the greater part of the bay. A main pycnocline (thermocline), which separates the upper and lower layers, is located at a depth of 15–40 m in and around the bay. The direction of the lower-layer flow (inflow into and outflow from the bay) is opposite to that of the upper-layer flow, which are baroclinically coupled to each other. Moreover, with regard to the lower-layer flow, the inflow tends to occur mainly through the northwestern part of the bay mouth, whereas the outflow tends to occur mainly through the southeastern part. The inflow and outflow alternate on time scales of several to a few tens of hours, and the flow directions are sometimes related to the tidal ones, although the relationship is not applied persistently. In winter, the baroclinic circulation is considerably weaker than in summer, because the stratification breaks down.     

Numerical study of tidal dynamics in the South China Sea with adjoint method

We adopt a parameterized internal tide dissipation term to the two-dimensional (2-D) shallow water equations, and develop the corresponding adjoint model to investigate tidal dynamics in the South China Sea (SCS). The harmonic constants derived from 63 tidal gauge stations and 24 TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) satellite altimeter crossover points are assimilated into the adjoint model to minimize the deviations of the simulated results and observations by optimizing the bottom friction coefficient and the internal tide dissipation coefficient. Tidal constituents M₂, S₂, K₁ and O₁ are simulated simultaneously. The numerical results (assimilating only tidal gauge data) agree well with T/P data showing that the model results are reliable. The co-tidal charts of M₂, S₂, K₁ and O₁ are obtained, which reflect the characteristics of tides in the SCS. The tidal energy flux is analyzed based on numerical results. The strongest tidal energy flux appears in the Luzon Strait (LS) for both semi-diurnal and diurnal tidal constituents. The analysis of tidal energy dissipation indicates that the bottom friction dissipation occurs mainly in shallow water area, meanwhile the internal tide dissipation is mainly concentrated in the LS and the deep basin of the SCS. The tidal energetics in the LS is examined showing that the tidal energy input closely balances the tidal energy dissipation.     

桐花树红树林潮滩近底层悬沙浓度垂向剖面变化特征分析*

观测红树林潮滩在波浪和潮流作用下的近底层垂向剖面悬沙浓度变化过程, 对理解海岸带植被的消能促淤机制和滨海湿地生态修复工程有着重要作用。本文以北部湾七星岛岛尾桐花树红树林潮滩为例, 基于剖面流速仪HR、声学多普勒单点流速仪ADV、浪潮仪T-wave及剖面浊度仪ASM, 获取了研究区域2019年夏季大潮连续3天的水文数据, 同时结合桐花树典型植株实测参数, 分析了潮周期内红树林潮滩近底层垂向剖面悬沙响应波浪、潮流作用及桐花树空间结构的运动过程。结果表明: 1) 桐花树潮滩近底层悬沙浓度和悬沙通量具有涨潮明显大于落潮的潮汐不对称现象, 剖面垂向高悬沙浓度区域在涨潮初期—涨急由距底部0.1~0.37m转变为距底部0.5~0.67m, 落急—落潮末期则由上部转变为下部; 2) 潮周期内悬沙起动和再悬浮阶段发生在以波浪作用主导的涨潮初期和落潮末期, 平流和沉降发生在以潮流作用为主的涨急至落急整个阶段; 3) 涨潮阶段桐花树冠层的茂密枝叶通过减缓流速拦截多于冠层上部40%以上的悬沙, 落潮水体则挟沙自陆向海经过桐花树群落, 使得悬沙浓度下降超过71%。该不对称涨、落潮动力沉积机制有利于悬沙向岸输运, 促进潮滩扩张过程。     

Tides—a modern perspective

Progress in tidal science has been rapid in recent years. The advent of precision altimetry has enabled, for the very first time in tidal history, an accurate measurement of tides in most of the global oceans. This has revolutionized our knowledge of tides and tidal processes. Combined with high‐resolution numerical models of tides (and other recent advances in astronomy and geodesy), this increased knowledge is providing valuable assistance in effecting closure on many outstanding problems in this three‐centuries‐old science. For example, we now know the dissipation rate of lunar tides to be 3.17 TW to within 2%. However, there do remain some outstanding issues. While we know the rate at which tidal energy is being dissipated in the global oceans, there is still considerable uncertainty as to the mechanisms, locations, and magnitudes of various tidal energy sinks. Imminent advances in shallow‐water barotropic and deep‐water baroclinic tides hold the prospect of a better understanding of these also. Improved knowledge of oceanic tides and high‐precision satellite measurements of tides are enabling better assessment of some matters of geophysical interest, such as the anelasticity and the length‐of‐day fluctuations of the Earth's mantle. It has been possible to map long‐period lunar tides more accurately and derive their contribution to the Earth's rotation rate fluctuations and its anelasticity at these frequencies. We discuss various aspects related to tides, including tidal dissipation and its consequences, as well as several other topics such as tidal energetics, internal tides, and long‐period tides, where considerable progress has been made in the last decade. Both oceanographic and geophysical implications are mentioned.     

夏季北黄海南部定点高分辨率实测海流分析

对夏季北黄海南部一定点高分辨率连续ADCP(Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler)海流实测资料,使用调和分析方法分解成3部分:不随时间变化的定常余流,周期性潮流和剩余流,再将潮流分解为正压潮流和斜压潮流。通过对实测海流中各组分的分析,结合同时期卫星反演海面风场资料,温度、盐度断面调查资料,得到以下结论:夏季该站点上层定常余流的主导动力控制因素是风应力,上层表现出明显的Ekman风海流特征,中、下层流速方向与表层流向基本成反向,体现出"上进下出"的垂向空间结构,定常流速最大位于近表层,可以达到5cm/s以上;各层的潮流类型均为正规半日潮流,主要半日潮潮流椭圆长轴的方向基本上呈东南-西北方向,其椭率在近底层达到最大值,中、上层较小;从能量角度分析该站点各海流组分,潮流与剩余流所占能量较大,平均起来看,潮流能量占测量海流能量的77%,而定常余流仅占0.6%,该点的斜压潮流较弱,平均斜压潮流能量仅占正压潮流能量的5%。     

Redistribution of energy of the internal tidal wave in the North Equatorial Countercurrent region

This paper contains estimations of the spatial variability of the kinetic energy density in semidiurnal tidal waves of the lowest baroclinic mode in the North Equatorial Countercurrent region. We have noted an essential reduction in the energetic density of semi-diurnal waves at the north boundary of the North Equatorial Countercurrent and a build-up of energy in short-period internal waves. The hydrodynamic instability of baroclinic tidal waves may be regarded as the mechanism responsible for the frequency energy redistribution.Translated by Vladimir A. Puchkin.