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Could waves mix the ocean?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 October 2009

G. FALKOVICH
G. FALKOVICH*
Affiliation:
Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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Abstract

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A finite-amplitude propagating wave induces a drift in fluids. Understanding how drifts produced by many waves disperse pollutants has broad implications for geophysics and engineering. Previously, the effective diffusivity was calculated for a random set of small-amplitude surface and internal waves. Now, this is extended by Bühler & Holmes-Cerfon (J. Fluid Mech., 2009, this issue, vol. 638, pp. 5–26) to waves in a rotating shallow-water system in which the Coriolis force is accounted for, a necessary step towards oceanographic applications. It is shown that interactions of finite-amplitude waves affect particle velocity in subtle ways. An expression describing the particle diffusivity as a function of scale is derived, showing that the diffusivity can be substantially reduced by rotation.

Type
Focus on Fluids
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 638 , 10 November 2009 , pp. 1 - 4
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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