An approximate solution of wave-modified Ekman current for gradually varying eddy viscosity

An approximate steady solution of the wave-modified Ekman current is presented for gradually varying eddy viscosity by using the WKB method with the variation of parameters technique. The parameters involved in the solution can be determined by the two-dimensional wavenumber spectrum of ocean waves, wind speed, the Coriolis parameter and the densities of air and water. The solution reduces to the exact solution when the eddy viscosity is taken as a constant. As illustrative examples, for a fully developed wind-generated sea with different wind speeds and a few proposed gradually varying eddy viscosities, the current profiles calculated from the approximate solutions are compared with those of the exact solutions or numerical ones by using the Donelan and Pierson wavenumber spectrum, the WAM wave model formulation for wind input energy to waves, and wave energy dissipation converted to currents. It is shown that the approximate solution presented has an elegant form and yet would be valid for any given gradually varying eddy viscosity. The applicability of the solution method to the real ocean is discussed following the comparisons with published observational data and with the results from a large eddy simulation of the Ekman layer. ► An approximate solution of the wave-modified Ekman current is presented. ► The solution is valid for gradually varying eddy viscosity. ► The applicability of the solution method to the real ocean is discussed.