Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 March 2006
The boundary layer on the upper surface of a horizontal plane in a diffusive, stratified flow is examined. The analysis shows that density diffusion increases the role of the buoyancy forces and causes a significant change in the properties of the boundary layer when compared to the non-diffusive case. A uniformly valid first approximation for moderate Russell numbers is derived, and the effects of buoyancy and diffusion are evaluated by solving the resulting equations numerically.