Mixing in a density driven current down a slope
in a rotating fluid
 
C. Adduce

Universita' RomaTre, Via Vito Volterra, 62. 00146 Roma, Italy
 
C. Cenedese

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543

We discuss laboratory experiments investigating mixing in a density driven current flowing down a sloping bottom in a rotating homogenous fluid. A systematic study spanning a wide range of Froude, Fr, and Reynolds, Re, numbers was conducted by varying four parameters: the rotation rate, the bottom slope, the flowrate, and the density of the dense fluid. Different flow types were observed either in different experiments, while changing the above parameters, or simultaneously in the same experiment, as the current descended the slope. Mixing in the density driven current has been quantified within the observed different flow types and at different locations on the slope. The dependence of mixing on the relevant non-dimensional numbers, i.e. slope, Fr and Re, has been discussed. In particular, mixing increased with increasing Fr. For low Fr the magnitude of the mixing was comparable to mixing in the ocean. For large Fr and Re, mixing was comparable, or slightly lower, than in previous laboratory experiments that presented the classic turbulent entrainment behavior. Finally, we suggest a new empirical parameterization for entrainment in a dense current that takes into account subcritical (Fr<1) mixing. The subcritical mixing observed in the present experiments could be of fundamental importance when determining the final water mass characteristics of a dense overflow current descending the continental slope. A weak but non zero entrainment can substantially change the final density and, consequently, the location of important water masses, like North Atlantic Deep Water, in the open ocean water column.