Dynamic boundary conditions and boundary layer approach to the wind-driven, linear circulation problem

Boundary layer techniques are applied to a class of wind-driven, linear cir culation models in which a wide set of dynamic boundary conditions are allo wed. The results show that i) the eastern solution always exists and its O( 1) component coincides with that of Sverdrup; ii) only a well-defined subse t of boundary conditions axe consistent with solutions representing, at lea st qualitatively, a typical subtropical gyre and, finally, iii) it is possi ble to employ infinite choices of boundary conditions which correspond to t he same boundary layer solution.