Turbulent Diffusion in a Stratified Fluid with Application to the Ocean
Abstract
The turbulent diffusion of a passive scalar in a stratified fluid is studied using a simplified model for the calculations. A semi-empirical formula for the diffusion coefficient is obtained as a function of turbulent energy dissipation rate and scale of the diffusing patch. The formula is demonstrated to give values which are consistent with known experimental is an order of magnitude smaller than that observed in near surface waters. Using these values of the diffusion coefficients, calculations show that the mean concentration for a patch initially 100 meters across decreases by a factor of 10 in two hours near the surface, but in eight hours at intermediate depths.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 21, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0761653
Entities
People
- Chester E. Grosch