Dynamics of a coupled atmosphere-ocean model

Abstract

The coupled atmosphere-ocean system defines the environment we live. The research of this complex, nonlinear and multiscale system is not only scientifically challenging but also practically important. We consider a coupled atmosphere-ocean model, which involves hydrodynamics, thermodynamics and nonautonomous interaction at the air-sea interface. First, we show that the coupled atmosphere-ocean system is stable under the external fluctuation in the atmospheric energy balance relation. Then, we estimate the atmospheric temperature feedback in terms of the freshwater flux, heat flux and the external fluctuation at the air-sea interface, as well as the earth's longwave radiation coefficient and the shortwave solar radiation profile. Finally, we prove that the coupled atmosphere-ocean system has time-periodic, quasiperiodic and almost periodic motions, whenever the external fluctuation in the atmospheric energy balance relation is time-periodic, quasiperiodic and almost periodic, respectively. 25,1