Turbulence and Mixing in Shelf Seas
Turbulence and Mixing in Shelf Seas |
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While shelf seas and estuaries constitute only a small proportion (8%) of the
area of the global ocean, they are regions of intense primary productivity and
contribute more than proportionally to the fixation of carbon and the cycling
of nutrients. They will, therefore, exert important controls in the global response
to increasing levels of carbon dioxide.
Vertical exchange is central to many shelf sea and estuarine processes,
as it is often the key determinant of water column structure and nutrient fluxes,
and hence the rate of primary production, and also the settling, resuspension,
aggregation and disaggregation of particulate matter. Vertical exchanges are
a result of turbulent mixing processes, the energy for which is derived mainly
from the tide, wind driven currents and surface cooling.
The aim of the Turbulence and Mixing group at the School of Ocean Sciences is
to improve understanding of vertical exchange processes in shelf seas and estuaries
through making direct measurements of turbulence parameters in shelf seas and
estuaries and to use the results to test and develop models of turbulent exchange.
We continue to develop and refine techniques for the measurement
of two turbulent parameters: the rates of production and dissipation of turbulent
kinetic energy (Link). Measurements have been made
in a wide variety of contrasting regimes ranging from estuaries (York River,
USA) and fjords (Gulmar Fjord, Sweden; Loch Etive, Scotland) to the northwest
European continental shelf edge. These results are chronicled in a series of
papers(Link).
Closer to home we are currently in the process of setting up a
‘turbulence laboratory’ in the Menai Straits.
These pages are updated and maintained by Neil Fisher.
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