Question

for this question, consider a southern hemisphere subtropical gyre, with convergent Ekman transport.

I know the picture quality is bad, but, in this picture, the left one is a western boundary case in which the boundary current flows southward and the right picture is the eastern boundary case in which the boundary current flows northward. In both cases the movements are counterclockwise.

1) what happens to the planetary vorticity, f, in the boundary current? Assuming that relative vorticity and depth remain constant, what happens to potential vorticity?

my answer: I think planetary vorticity increases for the eastern boundary current and and decreases for the western boundary current. I think potential vorticity increases for the eastern boundary current and decreases for the western boundary current too. Is this correct?

and can you help me solve the above question using the information i've provided throughout this entire question?

(d) Suppose the change in potential vorticity you described is brought about by friction along the coast. Sketch the shear in the boundary current associated with this friction for a western boundary and an eastern boundary on the diagram below. Which case (eastern or western boundary current) has shear consistent with the change in potential vorticity that you described in part (b)? (1 point, your answer must be consistent with (b and (c).) Western Boundary Case Eastern Boundary Case Land Ocean Ocean Land

Answer 1

, · s, nuaan.ng in plandory vauh. ola. in an boundr) inte nstass wart b

Naat うins Land ? fa、レ ichanal Laa 之 lon rP cD a nc«.

'on 111 t → E ast