ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the application of dynamical systems theory methods in physical oceanography. It analyzes a phenomenological connection between dynamical, topological, and statistical properties of chaotic mixing and zonal transport in the same kinematic model and explain zonal transport properties by the phenomenon of the so-called dynamical traps. The chapter provides an approach, based on searching for specific Lagrangian features in the altimetric geostrophic velocity fields, which indicate the presence of convergence of waters of different properties. Strong oceanic and atmospheric currents, the Gulf Streamin the Atlantic, the Kuroshio in the Pacific, and the polar night Antarctic jet in the atmosphere, are meandering jets separating water and air masses with distinct physical properties. A geostrophic current is an oceanic flow in which the pressure gradient force is balanced by the Coriolis effect. Oceanic fronts are comparatively narrow regions ranged from a kilometer to a hundred of kilometer size.
