Salt fingers in an unbounded thermocline

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ID: 294688
2001
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Abstract
Numerical solutions for salt e ngers in an unbounded thermocline with uniform overall vertical temperature-salinity gradients are obtained from the Navier-Stokes-Boussinesq equations in a e nite computational domain with periodic boundary conditions on the velocity. First we extend previous two-dimensional (2D) heat-salt calculations [Prandtl number Pr 5 n/k T 5 7 and molecular diffusivity ratio t 5 k S/k T 5 0.01] for density ratio R 5 2; as R decreases we show that the average heat and salt e uxes increase rapidly. Then three-dimensional (3D) calculations for R 5 2.0, Pr 5 7, and the numerically “ accessible” values of t 5 1/6, 1/12 show that the ratio of these 3D e uxes to the corresponding 2D values [at the same ( t, R, Pr)] is approximately two. This ratio is then extrapolated to t 5 0.01 and multiplied by the directly computed 2D e uxes to obtain a e rst estimate for the 3D heat-salt e uxes, and for the eddy salt diffusivity (dee ned in terms of the overall vertical salinity gradient). Since these calculations are for relatively “ small domains” [ O(10) e nger pairs], we then consider much larger scales, such as will include a slowly varying internal gravity wave. An analytic theory which assumes that the e nger e ux is given parametrically by the small domain e ux laws shows that if a critical number A is exceeded, the wave-strain modulates the e nger e ux divergence in a way which amplie es the wave. This linear theoretical result is cone rmed, and the e nite amplitude of the wave is obtained, in a 2D numerical calculation which resolves both waves and e ngers. For highly supercritical A (small R) it is shown that the temporally increasing wave shear does not reduce the e uxes until the wave Richardson number drops to ;0.5, whereupon the wave starts to overturn. The onset of density inversions suggests that at later time (not calculated), and in a sufe ciently large 3D domain, strong convective turbulence will occur in patches.
Reference Key
openalex_W2038983345 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Melvin E. Stern, Timour Radko, Julian Simeonov
Journal journal of marine research
Year 2001
DOI
10.1357/002224001762842244
URL
Keywords Keywords not found

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