THE BERNOULLI INVERSE METHOD - THEORY AND PRACTICE

The Bernoulli inverse method is tested with reference to a known ocean circulation, produced from the Fine Resolution Antarctic Ocean Model. It is shown that, while the basic theory of the inverse method is rob ust, problems with the numerical formulation of the inversion used in past papers urges caution in their interpretation. The basic difficult y is in the selection of ''crossing points'': depths in two different vertical profiles where both density and potential vorticity have the same values. Improved algorithms are presented and implications for pa st work considered.