Ekman spirals refer very specifically to an effect of the Coriolis force on ocean currents. Wind and the earth's spin cause ocean currents to be displaced in a downward clockwise spiral (in the Northern Hemisphere; counter-clockwise down under). Refs at
http://www.gfdl.gov/~a1g/Ekman_spiral.html
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~aecl410/wavecurr/sld004.htm
or just Google "ekman spiral"
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