Some Aspects of Turbulence in Stratified Fluids.
Abstract
The report contains a discussion of some aspects of stratified, shearing flow. The importance of the subject for geophysical fluid mechanics is implicit in the turbulent nature of the atmosphere and oceans. Energy production and energy loss are considered first and an interpretation is given of the four basic terms in the energy equation. In particular, suggestions are made for separate processes in which disturbance energy is gained from the shear and lost to potential energy. The common layered structure of geophysical systems and stratified laboratory systems is described and two proposals are advanced that smooth density profiles may be unstable in the presence of turbulence. The suggestion is made that the density gradient in homogeneous layers may be dynamically important. The problem of the growth and maintenance of turbulence in stratified flows is presented. Evidence from laboratory experiments indicates that turbulence can be maintained at values of the Richardson number considerably in excess of 1/4. The paper concludes with some inferences and observations relative to turbulence in stratified flow. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0740339
Entities
People
- Robert R. Long
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University