On the transport of water masses by long-period waves in seas and oceans

Parallel with the traditional hypotheses on the predominantly wind (Ekman), gradient, and thermohaline nature of large-scale currents in seas and oceans, there exist hypotheses on the participation of long-period waves in the formation of these currents. As the physical mechanisms of generation of currents by waves, one can mention nonlinear wave transport and the phenomenon of negative viscosity in waves. From the viewpoint of existence of these mechanisms, numerous scientists explain high velocities of jet currents and their stable character. The predominant role of winds and thermohaline processes in the formation of large-scale currents is also accepted. On the basis of the experimental data, we demonstrate additional possibilities for the formation of large-scale currents given by the transport of water masses by long-period waves.Translated from Morskoi Gidrofizicheskii Zhurnal, No. 5, pp. 24–34, September–October, 2004.This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrections to cover date.