Statistical mechanics and ocean circulation

We apply equilibrium statistical mechanics based upon the conservation of energy and potential enstrophy to the mass–density distribution within the ocean, using a Monte Carlo method that conserves the buoyancy of each fluid particle. The equilibrium state resembles the buoyancy structure actually observed.

► Equilibrium statistical mechanics applies to a model of the ocean’s mass density distribution.
► A Monte Carlo calculation respects conservation of energy, potential enstrophy, and buoyancy on fluid particles.
► The calculated average buoyancy resembles the latitudinal distribution of buoyancy observed in the real ocean.