Structure, Energetics and Variability of the Non-Linear Internal Wave Climate over the New Jersey Shelf

Abstract

I seek to obtain a more complete and fundamental understanding of the hierarchy of processes which transfer energy and momentum from large scales, feed the internal wavefield, and ultimately dissipate through turbulence. This cascade significantly impacts the acoustic, optical, and biogeochemical properties of the water column. Non-Linear Internal Waves (NLIWs) represent one such pathway. Non-Linear Internal Wave (NLIW) packets are ubiquitous features of the coastal ocean, producing significant changes to its acoustics, optics and biogeochemistry, and influencing its dynamics. While they arrive like clockwork in some regions like the South China Sea, they occur with a high degree of variability on most continental shelves like the New Jersey shelf ? site of the SW06 experiment. And even in regions where they form at regular intervals, their amplitudes can vary dramatically from packet to packet, and there are strong seasonal changes.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2009
Accession Number
ADA527074

Entities

People

  • Jonathan D. Nash

Organizations

  • Oregon State University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustic Properties
  • Amplitude
  • Continental Shelves
  • Continental Slopes
  • Energy
  • Heat Flux
  • Internal Waves
  • New Jersey
  • Oceans
  • Pressure Measurement
  • Regions
  • South China Sea
  • Topography
  • Turbulent Mixing
  • Universities
  • Water
  • Waves

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Systems Analysis and Design