Mixing Processes and Hydraulic Control in a Highly Stratified Estuary
Abstract
This thesis utilizes field data from the Fraser River Estuary (British Columbia, Canada) to investigate the nature of mixing processes in a highly stratified environment. During the late ebb, a stationary front exists at the Fraser mouth. Although stream wise densimetric Froude numbers at the front are supercritical, the front is oriented such that Froude numbers are equal to one in a reference frame perpendicular to the front. This represents a robust extension of established two-layer hydraulic theory to three dimensions, and implies similarity with trans-sonic flows. Mixing processes were evaluated at the mouth using a control volume approach to isolate mean vertical entrainment processes from turbulent processes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA413583
Entities
People
- Daniel G. Macdonald
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology