The thermodynamic properties of the ocean, such as temperature, salinity, and buoyancy,  and dynamic properties, such as momentum, energy, and vorticity, are governed by numerous hydrodynamic processes.  These include:

Turbulent processes, such as diffusion and mixing;

Internal waves and internal tides, wave-wave interactions;

Boundary-layer processes, such as friction and topographic drag;

Buoyancy forcing, heating and cooling by the atmosphere;

Convection, double diffusion, and hydrostatic instability.

Studies are specifically aimed at understanding the influence of these small-scale physical phenomena on the larger-scale ocean circulation. These studies generally focus on energy exchanges between different classes of fluid motion. This includes the transfer of tidal energy that occurs when large-scale tidal flows interact with the topography of the sea-floor to produce waves. These investigations are based on the analysis of oceanographic data, including direct measurements of turbulence made during sea-going field programs.

Model Parameterizations