Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2006 / iii / Paper 77 / 4 / ii / Solution

For the Boussinesq approximation, subtract the resting background buoyancy $N^{2}z$ and denote its perturbation by $b$. With constant nonzero $f$ and constant $N>0$, the leading geostrophic flow and hydrostatic balance define the quasi-geostrophic streamfunctionThe leading horizontal flow is nondivergent. At the next order, its relative vertical vorticity $q_g={\nabla }_H^2\psi$ is stretched by the small vertical velocity, while the background buoyancy is advected vertically. Thus the curl and buoyancy equations giveThese follow from $D{q}_a/Dt=-q_a{\nabla }_H\cdot \mathbf{u}$ with $q_a\simeq f$ and ${\nabla }_H\cdot {\mathbf{u}}_a=-w_z$, retaining the geostrophic advection of the first-order anomalies. Vertical advection of those anomalies is of higher quasi-geostrophic order.

Differentiate the buoyancy equation in $z$. It is important not to assume without justification that ${\partial }_z$ commutes with $D_g$. Their commutator on $b$ isby hydrostatic balance and thermal wind. Hence $D_g{b}_z=-N^2{w}_z$. Adding $f/N^2$ times this equation to the vorticity equation eliminates $w_z$, yieldingThis is the quasi-geostrophic potential-vorticity equation on an $f$-plane. The additive $f$ makes $Q$ equal to the first-order normalized Ertel PV of total buoyancy $N^{2}z+b$; using a PV anomaly instead removes that constant and does not change the dynamics.

For stretched coordinates for quasi-geostrophic inversion, putThen $(f^2/N^2){\partial }_z^2={\partial }_Z^2$, and the potential-vorticity relation becomesStable stratification makes this operator elliptic. Uniform $N$ and nonzero $f$ are essential to this simple constant-coefficient stretching.