Circulation in the Coastal Ocean

Abstract

Coastal ocean dynamics as a distinct branch of dynamic oceanography has seen a tremendous amount of growth in the past 20 years or so. Although there remain many areas of contention, a sufficient amount of common understanding now exists in the open literature that a synthesis is worthwhile and indeed welcome. Circulation in the Coastal Ocean represents an effort to accomplish just that. The emphasis is on motions in the coastal ocean that cause large net particle movements and is therefore particularly appropriate for the current concerns for the environment. The scope of the monograph is, however, much more limited than first expected. The reader is led through the development of theories and physical arguments essentially following the impressive list of literature contributions from the author. The gravitation toward the works of one man precludes discussions of other important topics and approaches.