Estimating the Depth Dependence of Ocean Horizontal Diffusion Coefficients

Abstract

A simple empirical estimate is presented for predicting the variation with depth of a scalar concentration field in the far wake of a submarine operating beneath the ocean surface. By examining near surface and intermediate depth diffusion and turbulent dissipation data, it is shown that the horizontal diffusion coefficient decreases by a factor of from 2.2 to 2.5 in the depth regime between 10 and 300 meters. Semi-empirical equations for the strength of the concentration field from instantaneous and continuous sources are developed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1972
Accession Number
AD0753837

Entities

People

  • Irwin E. Alber

Organizations

  • TRW Inc.

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Classification
  • Coefficients
  • Contracts
  • Diffusion
  • Diffusion Coefficient
  • Diffusion Theory
  • Diffusivity
  • Dissipation
  • Equations
  • Experimental Data
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Measurement
  • Oceans
  • Turbulence

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Marine Mammal Biology
  • Materials Science (Mechanical Engineering).