Barotropic instability of coastal flows as a boundary-value problem: linear and non-linear theory.
Saved in:
| Title: | Barotropic instability of coastal flows as a boundary-value problem: linear and non-linear theory. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | WILLMOTT, ANDREW J.1 ajwil@pol.ac.uk, CUSHMAN-ROISIN, BENOIT2 |
| Source: | Geophysical & Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics. Aug2009, Vol. 103 Issue 4, p279-292. 14p. 1 Diagram, 2 Charts, 3 Graphs. |
| Subjects: | Boundary value problems, Complex variables, Astronomical perturbation, Whirlwinds, Dynamic meteorology, Territorial waters, Continental shelf |
| Abstract: | The barotropic instability is traditionally viewed as an initial-value problem wherein wave perturbations of a laterally sheared flow in a homogeneous uniformly rotating fluid that temporally grows into vortices. The vortices are capable of mixing fluid on the continental shelf with fluid above the continental slope and adjacent deep-sea region. However, the instability can also be viewed as a boundary-value problem. For example, a laterally sheared coastal flow is perturbed at some location, creating perturbations that grow spatially downstream. This process leads to a time periodic flow that exhibits instability in space. This article first examines the linear barotropic instability problem with real frequency and complex wavenumber. It is shown that there exists a frequency band within which a spatially growing wave is present. It is then postulated that far downstream the spatially unstable flow emerges into a chain of identically axisymmetric vortices. Conservation of mass, momentum and energy fluxes are applied to determine the diameter, spacing and the speed of translation of the vortices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Geophysical & Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
Be the first to leave a comment!
