Development of a Mixed Layer Float

Abstract

The purpose of this grant was to finish development of a new type of neutrally buoyant float designed to accurately follow the three dimensional motion of water parcels in the ocean mixed layer. This work was joint with David Farmer, of the Institute of Ocean Sciences, Sydney, British Columbia, Canada. This grant was responsible for the mechanical aspects of the float design. IOS/ BC was responsible for acoustical tracking in three-dimensions. Before the storm, the floats, which have been ballasted slightly heavier than the mixed layer, rest on the top of the stratification and oscillate in the ambient internal wave field. As the wind picks up and the mixed layer deepens, the floats begin to move vertically through the mixed layer. This, I believe, is due to the turbulence which is actually deepening the mixed layer. More surprisingly, the floats seem to generally penetrate below the mixed layer into the underlying stratification. This, I believe, is the signature of mixed layer turbulence entraining water into the mixed layer.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 03, 1993
Accession Number
ADA264742

Entities

People

  • Eric A. D'Asaro

Organizations

  • University of Washington

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Boundary Layer
  • Bow Thrusters
  • British Columbia
  • Contracts
  • Heat Flux
  • Internal Waves
  • Kinetic Energy
  • Layers
  • Meteorological Data
  • Military Research
  • Oceans
  • Physics Laboratories
  • Stratification
  • Three Dimensional
  • Turbulence
  • Two Dimensional
  • Wind Stress

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Oceanography.