Stratified Coastal Dynamics of Internal Waves and Glacial River Plume Interactions
Abstract
Internal waves in the ocean play a significant role in multiple environmental processes, driving energy dissipation and turbulent tr,ansport and mixing and interacting with tides, winds, surface waves, and currents. Fluvial discharges and river plumes are a leading, mechanism of internal wave generation in the coastal ocean. In high-latitude regions of the Earth, these stratified systems are als,o strongly influenced glacial flows with daily and seasonal variabilities of freshwater inputs, changing the local physical environm,ent and experiencing complex feedbacks and interactions with the coastal morphology.Rapid modifications of historical patterns produ,ced by climate change and human activities in rivers and the coast will affect thermodynamic and acoustical properties of the ocean,, and they will influence the future resilience of these natural systems subject to anthropogenic pressures. However, the knowledge o,f the main physical processes emerging from these interactions and their leading controlling factors is still very limited. In this,project we seek to improve our understanding of stratified systems and their interactions with glacial river plumes in the South Pac,ific Ocean. We will carry out field observations to characterize the main processes affecting the flows at different temporal and sp,atial scales, and we will develop advanced numerical models to capture detailed interactions and integrate them with large-scale mod,els and represent specific scenarios, considering the coastal morphology and tidal forcings. Models will be validated and tested to,provide new insights on the dynamics of the flow and predict how small-scale effects can influence the large-scale circulation patte,rns. We expect that this investigation will also contribute towards building an advanced framework for future collaborations, aimed,at understanding the fundamental mechanisms of stratified flows and sediment transport, providing valuable tools and information for, future studies in complex coastal environments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 04, 2022
- Source ID
- N629092312004
Entities
People
- Cristian Escauriaza
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
- United States Navy