Vortex-wave dynamics in the drift wave-rossby wave problem with temperature gradients

The processes governing the propagation of low frequency vortex-wave convective disturbances in the two different physical systems of neutral fluids on rotating planets and plasmas confined by magnetic fields are explored with (i) physical descriptions of the convective transport, (ii) establishing the relevant conservation laws and (iii) computer simulations. The role of a global, ambient temperature gradient in driving the three-dimensional baroclinic instability is compared with the ion temperature gradient instability in magnetically confined plasma. Steady-state power balance and the turbulent viscosities and thermal diffusivities are analyzed using the same class of turbulent transport formulas