Cross-Shelf Transport Through the Interaction among a Coastal Jet, a Topographic Wave, and Tides
Abstract
Shelf break flows are often characterized by along-isobath jets with cross-shelf currents associated with tides and waves guided by variable topography. Here, we address the question: Can a superposition of such flows produce significant aperiodic cross-shelf transport? To answer this question, we use a barotropic analytic model for the jet based on a similarity solution of the shallow water equations over variable topography, a wave disturbance determined by the topography, and a diurnal tidal disturbance. We use standard Lagrangian methods to assess the cross-shelf transport, presenting the results, however, in a Eulerian frame, so as to be amenable to oceanographic observations. The relative roles of the different flow components in cross-shelf transport are assessed through an extensive parameter study. We find that a superposition of all three flow components can indeed produce consequential background aperiodic transport. An application of the model using recent observations from the Texas Shelf demonstrates that a combination of these background mechanisms can produce significant transport under realistic conditions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Oct 16, 2020
- Source ID
- 10.3390/fluids5040181
Entities
People
- A. D. Kirwan
- Charles W. McMahon
- Helga S Huntley
- Joseph J. Kuehl
Organizations
- Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative
- Office of Naval Research