  This paper looks at the two-layer ocean model from a wave turbulence
perspective. A symmetric form of the two-layer kinetic equation for Rossby
waves is derived using canonical variables, allowing the turbulent cascade of
energy between the barotropic and baroclinic modes to be studied. It turns out
that energy is transferred via local triad interactions from the large-scale
baroclinic modes to the baroclinic and barotropic modes at the Rossby
deformation scale. From there it is then transferred to the large-scale
barotropic modes via a nonlocal inverse transfer. Using scale separation a sys-
tem of coupled equations were obtained for the small-scale baroclinic component
and the large-scale barotropic component. Since the total energy of the
small-scale component is not conserved, but the total barotropic plus
baroclinic energy is conserved, the baroclinic energy loss at small scales will
be compensated by the growth of the barotropic energy at large scales. It is
found that this transfer is mostly anisotropic and mostly to the zonal
component.
