The abyssal stratification and circulation deduced from the principle of maximal entropy production

Abstract

A theory for the abyssal stratification and circulation is derived from the principle of maximal production of information entropy used in non-equilibrium statistical dynamics. For an abyssal ocean of simple geometry and simple, though plausible, parameterization of the vertical diffusivity, stratification profiles together with their associated circulation are obtained. These profiles are characterized by an abyssal thermocline thickness scaling as $\sqrt{k_{v}H/w_{s0}}$, where w_s0 is the upwelling velocity at the top of an abyssal ocean of depth H, and κ_v is its vertical diffusivity. Remarkably, the associated circulation is barotropic and coincides with the classical theory of the abyssal circulation by Stommel and Arons.