scholarly journals Measurements and models of fine structure, internal gravity waves, and wave breaking in the deep Ocean

1978 ◽  
Vol 83 (C6) ◽  
pp. 2989 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Curtis Eriksen
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Wave Breaking ◽  
Deep Ocean ◽  
Internal Gravity Waves

scholarly journals Numerical and the MU radar estimations of gravity wave enhancement and turbulent ozone fluxes near the tropopause

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 3889-3898 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. M. Gavrilov ◽  
S. Fukao
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Wave Breaking ◽  
Internal Gravity Waves ◽  
Vertical Temperature ◽  
Turbulent Diffusion Coefficient ◽  
Middle Latitudes ◽  
Mu Radar ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Ozone Fluxes ◽  
Vertical Ozone

Abstract. It is shown with a numerical simulation that a sharp increase in the vertical temperature gradient and Brunt-Väisälä frequency near the tropopause may produce an increase in the amplitudes of internal gravity waves (IGWs) propagating upward from the troposphere, wave breaking and generation of stronger turbulence. This may enhance the transport of admixtures between the troposphere and stratosphere in the middle latitudes. Turbulent diffusion coefficient calculated numerically and measured with the MU radar are of 1-10m2/s in different seasons in Shigaraki, Japan (35° N, 136° E). These values lead to the estimation of vertical ozone flux from the stratosphere to the troposphere of (1-10)x1014, which may substantially add to the usually supposed ozone downward transport with the general atmospheric circulation. Therefore, local enhancements of IGW intensity and turbulence at tropospheric altitudes over mountains due to their orographic excitation and due to other wave sources may lead to the changes in tropospheric and total ozone over different regions.

Breaking Surface Wave Effects on River Plume Dynamics during Upwelling-Favorable Winds

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (9) ◽  
pp. 1959-1980 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory P. Gerbi ◽  
Robert J. Chant ◽  
John L. Wilkin
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Wave Breaking ◽  
Deep Ocean ◽  
River Plume ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
Plume Dynamics ◽  
Surface Gravity Waves ◽  
Shear Dispersion ◽  
Wave Effects ◽  
Critical Richardson Number

Abstract This study examines the dynamics of a buoyant river plume in upwelling-favorable winds, concentrating on the time after separation from the coast. A set of idealized numerical simulations is used to examine the effects of breaking surface gravity waves on plume structure and cross-shore dynamics. Inclusion of a wave-breaking parameterization in the two-equation turbulence submodel causes the plume to be thicker and narrower, and to propagate offshore more slowly, than a plume in a simulation with no wave breaking. In simulations that include wave breaking, the plume has much smaller vertical gradients of salinity and velocity than in the simulation without breaking. This leads to decreased importance of shear dispersion in the plumes with wave breaking. Much of the widening rate of the plume is explained by divergent Ekman velocities at the off- and onshore edges. Some aspects of plume evolution in all cases are predicted well by a simple theory based on a critical Richardson number and an infinitely deep ocean. However, because the initial plume in these simulations is in contact with the sea floor in the inner shelf, some details are poorly predicted, especially around the time that the plume separates from the coast.

scholarly journals Internal wave breaking and the fate of planets around solar-type stars

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S271) ◽  
pp. 363-364
Author(s):  
Adrian J. Barker ◽  
Gordon I. Ogilvie
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Wave Breaking ◽  
Internal Gravity Waves ◽  
Amplitude Dependence ◽  
Tidal Dissipation ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Central Regions ◽  
Solar Type ◽  
The Waves ◽  
Solar Type Star

AbstractInternal gravity waves are excited at the interface of convection and radiation zones of a solar-type star, by the tidal forcing of a short-period planet. The fate of these waves as they approach the centre of the star depends on their amplitude. We discuss the results of numerical simulations of these waves approaching the centre of a star, and the resulting evolution of the spin of the central regions of the star and the orbit of the planet. If the waves break, we find efficient tidal dissipation, which is not present if the waves perfectly reflect from the centre. This highlights an important amplitude dependence of the (stellar) tidal quality factor Q′, which has implications for the survival of planets on short-period orbits around solar-type stars, with radiative cores.

Transport by breaking internal gravity waves on slopes

2016 ◽  
Vol 789 ◽  
pp. 93-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert S. Arthur ◽  
Oliver B. Fringer
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Wave Breaking ◽  
Internal Gravity Waves ◽  
Length Scale ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Turbulent Diffusivity ◽  
Nepheloid Layer ◽  
Molecular Diffusivity ◽  
Tracking Model ◽  
Offshore Transport

We use the results of a direct numerical simulation (DNS) with a particle-tracking model to investigate three-dimensional transport by breaking internal gravity waves on slopes. Onshore transport occurs within an upslope surge of dense fluid after breaking. Offshore transport occurs due to an intrusion of mixed fluid that propagates offshore and resembles an intermediate nepheloid layer (INL). Entrainment of particles into the INL is related to irreversible mixing of the density field during wave breaking. Maximum onshore and offshore transport are calculated as a function of initial particle position, and can be of the order of the initial wave length scale for particles initialized within the breaking region. An effective cross-shore dispersion coefficient is also calculated, and is roughly three orders of magnitude larger than the molecular diffusivity within the breaking region. Particles are transported laterally due to turbulence that develops during wave breaking, and this lateral spreading is quantified with a lateral turbulent diffusivity. Lateral turbulent diffusivity values calculated using particles are elevated by more than one order of magnitude above the molecular diffusivity, and are shown to agree well with turbulent diffusivities estimated using a generic length scale turbulence closure model. Based on a favourable comparison of DNS results with those of a similar two-dimensional case, we use two-dimensional simulations to extend our cross-shore transport results to additional wave amplitude and bathymetric slope conditions.

Acoustic Visualization of Nonlinear Internal Gravity Waves Using an Improved High Frequency Sonar System

2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-102
Author(s):  
Michael T. McCord ◽  
Earl W. Carey
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Gravity Waves ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Internal Gravity Waves ◽  
Horizontal Resolution ◽  
Naval Research ◽  
Sonar System ◽  
Industry Applications ◽  
Sonar Systems

High frequency sonar systems have been used by the Naval Research Laboratory to study nonlinear internal gravity waves and define the fine structure of ocean temperature and salinity layers that are found in coastal waters, usually within 130 meters of the surface. Of particular interest is the fine structure of these waves, which are being investigated using high sensitivity sonar systems that provide 1 m horizontal resolution and less than 8 cm vertical resolution. This article describes the integration of commercial and custom-designed components, including a recently patented transmitter-receiver switch. The significance of this T-R switch is that it improves the sensitivity of short-range sonar systems, enables a more refined measurement of nonlinear internal gravity waves, and could have broad industry applications.

A note on breaking waves

1988 ◽  
Vol 419 (1857) ◽  
pp. 323-335 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Velocity ◽  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Turbulent Mixing ◽  
Wave Breaking ◽  
Richardson Number ◽  
Breaking Waves ◽  
Internal Gravity Waves ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Wave Groups ◽  
Surface Gravity Waves

Some simple general properties of wave breaking are deduced from the known behaviour of surface gravity waves in deep water, on the assumption that breaking occurs in association with wave groups. In particular we derive equations for the time interval, ז, between the onset of breaking of successive waves: ז ═ T / |1 – ( c ⋅ c g )/ c 2 |, and for the propagation vector c b (referred to as the ‘wave-breaking vector’) of the position at which breaking, once initiated, will proceed: c b ═ c (1 – c ⋅ c g / c 2 )+ c g . Here c is the phase velocity, and c g the group velocity, of waves of period T . Interfacial waves, internal gravity waves, inertial waves and planetary waves are considered as particular examples. The results apply not only to wave breaking, but to the movement of any property (e. g. fluid acceleration, gradient Richardson number) that is carried through a medium in association with waves. One application is to describe the distribution, in space and time, of regions of turbulent mixing, or transitional phenomena, in the oceans or atmosphere.

OBSERVATIONS UPON CLEAR-AIR STRATIFICATION IN THE LOWER TROPOSPHERE

1964 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-286
Author(s):  
M. B. Bell ◽  
D. R. Hay ◽  
R. W. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Fine Structure ◽  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Eddy Diffusion ◽  
Internal Gravity Waves ◽  
Special Design ◽  
Regular Distribution ◽  
Total Incidence ◽  
Clear Weather

A study of the fine structure of air refractivity in the lower troposphere has been continued through the spring and summer of 1962 by the observation of weak radio reflections from clear air (radar angels), with a vertically directed radar of special design operating at 6770 Mc/s. These observations have been limited to the layer of frictional influence, within 1500 meters of the surface. The interpretation suggests that the reflecting centers are broad strata whose refractivity contrasts weakly with that of their environment, whose vertical depths are no more than a few centimeters, and which are either flat over horizontal distances of at least several meters or concave downwards with radii of curvature somewhat less than their height above ground. The incidence of transitory reflections generally follows a regular distribution in the vertical, with a maximum at 300 meters; the form of this distribution is modified by the intrusion of weather fronts, thermals, and other clear-weather structures. The transitory reflecting stratum is cut off from its generating source early in its life history, to be dispersed into its environment by molecular or eddy diffusion. The total incidence of transitory angels fluctuates quasi-periodically in time, with a period of about 10 minutes; it is suggested that this periodicity is due to the influence of internal gravity waves in the atmosphere. In contrast, persistent reflections are associated with a more stable environment; the maximum incidence is at the lowest heights observed, with a gradual decrease towards higher levels. Their relationship to clear-weather structure is less certain than for the transitory reflections. The persistent reflecting stratum must be replenished continuously by the generating source during its lifetime to offset diffusion into the environment.

Excitation and breaking of internal gravity waves by parametric instability

1998 ◽  
Vol 374 ◽  
pp. 117-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
DOMINIQUE BENIELLI ◽  
JOËL SOMMERIA
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Wave Breaking ◽  
Parametric Instability ◽  
Excitation Frequency ◽  
Vertical Plane ◽  
Excitation Amplitude ◽  
Internal Gravity Waves ◽  
Stratified Medium ◽  
Primary Wave ◽  
Maximum Slope

We study the dynamics of internal gravity waves excited by parametric instability in a stably stratified medium, either at the interface between a water and a kerosene layer, or in brine with a uniform gradient of salinity. The tank has a rectangular section, and is narrow to favour standing waves with motion in the vertical plane. The fluid container undergoes vertical oscillations, and the resulting modulation of the apparent gravity excites the internal waves by parametric instability.Each internal wave mode is amplified for an excitation frequency close to twice its natural frequency, when the excitation amplitude is sufficient to overcome viscous damping (these conditions define an ‘instability tongue’ in the parameter space frequency-amplitude). In the interfacial case, each mode is well separated from the others in frequency, and behaves like a simple pendulum. The case of a continuous stratification is more complex as different modes have overlapping instability tongues. In both cases, the growth rates and saturation amplitudes behave as predicted by the theory of parametric instability for an oscillator. However, complex friction effects are observed, probably owing to the development of boundary-layer instabilities.In the uniformly stratified case, the excited standing wave is unstable via a secondary parametric instability: a wave packet with small wavelength and half the primary wave frequency develops in the vertical plane. This energy transfer toward a smaller scale increases the maximum slope of the iso-density surfaces, leading to local turning and rapid growth of three-dimensional instabilities and wave breaking. These results illustrate earlier stability analyses and numerical studies. The combined effect of the primary excitation mechanism and wave breaking leads to a remarkable intermittent behaviour, with successive phases of growth and decay for the primary wave over long timescales.

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