MODEL ENERGY-TRANSFER EQUATIONS FOR QUASI-GEOSTROPHIC TURBULENCE IN 2-LAYER OCEAN

The simplest system of energy transfer equations is obtained for one-dimensional energy spectral densities of barotropic and baroclinic modes. The following assumptions are adopted: 1) internal-mode and between-mode interactions provide additive contributions to the interaction integral; 2) energy and enstrophy conserve; 3) since turbulence interactions are usually cascade, the interaction is assumed to be local; 4) energy and enstrophy fluxes are equal zero for the Kraichnan thermodynamics equilibrium state which is assumed to be stable relative to large perturbations. It is shown that interactions between barotropic and baroclinic modes generate the synoptic maximum of available potential energy.