Surface manifestations of internal waves investigated by a subsurface buoyant Jet: 1. The mechanism of internal-wave generation

In a large test reservoir with artificial temperature stratification at the Institute of Applied Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, we have performed a major laboratory simulation of the nonstationary dynamics of buoyant turbulent jets generated by wastewater flows from underwater collector diffusers. The interaction of buoyant jets with the pycnocline leads to an active generation of internal waves. An analysis of the dependence of wave amplitude on the control parameter proportional to the rate of liquid flow from the collector diffuser has indicated that this dependence is adequately described by a function that is characteristic for the presence in the Hopf bifurcation system, which occurs for a soft actuation mode of self-oscillations of the globally instable mode. To check the conditions for the actuation of the globally instable mode, we have performed an auxiliary experiment in a small reservoir with a salt stratification formulated similar to the experiment in the big reservoir. Using the particle image velocimetry (PIV) method, we have measured the velocity field in the buoyant jet and constructed the profiles of transverse velocity in several sections. When the jet approaches the pycnocline, a counterflow is generated at the edges. A stability analysis for the resulting profiles of flow velocities performed by the method of normal modes has revealed that, for the jet portions with counterflow, the condition of absolute instability by the Briggs criterion for axisymmetric jet oscillations is satisfied, which testifies to the fact that the globally instable mode is actuated. The estimates for oscillation frequencies of the globally instable mode are well consistent quantitatively with the measured spectrum of jet oscillations.     

Nonstationary dynamics of turbulent axisymmetric jets in a stratified fluid: Part 2. Mechanism of excitation of axisymmetric oscillations in a submerged jet

It was shown based on laboratory experiments in a Large Thermally Stratified Tank (LTST) at the Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences that a turbulent axisymmetric jet in a stratified fluid with a sharp density drop (a pycnocline) intensively generates internal waves. An axisymmetric oscillation mode, for which a sufficient condition of stability in the parallel flow approximation is met, served as their source. This paper studies the stability of a nonparallel flow (with self-similar velocity profiles) that simulates a jet flow in the lower part of the pycnocline with respect to the axisymmetric mode. The estimates of the axisymmetric mode near the pycnocline are in agreement with the experimental data. The signs of the self-oscillating mode of the jet were experimentally revealed and the possibility of self-oscillations was theoretically proved: it was shown that the flow in the pycnocline vicinity is absolutely unstable.     

Surface manifestations of internal waves investigated by a subsurface buoyant jet: Part 2. Internal wave field

In a large test reservoir with artificial temperature stratification at the Institute of Applied Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, a major simulation of internal wave actuation by buoyant turbulent jets generated by wastewater flows from underwater collector diffusers in conditions of temperature stratification with deep and shallow thermocline has been performed. Using a modification of the particle tracing velocimetry (PTV) method in the stratification mode with shallow thermocline, the velocities of currents generated by internal waves at the surface of the water area are measured. A theoretical model is developed describing the fields of internal waves in the presence of jet stream. Dispersion relations and structures of lower (first and second) modes of internal waves in the stratified basin for different rates of liquid outflow from the collector model are obtained. The experimentally measured field of isothermal shifts with respect to the system of characteristic modes of internal waves is decomposed. A mixed regime of internal wave actuation with the simultaneous existence of the first and second modes is observed. The characteristics of perturbations in the liquid column and on its surface are compared. This analysis allows us to prove that the velocity fields on the surface are indeed surface manifestations of internal waves.     

High Frequency Current Fluctuations and Cross-shelf Flows around the Pycnocline near the Shelf Break in the East China Sea

Relation between internal waves with short time scale and density distribution near the shelf break in the East China Sea is studied utilizing moored current meters, thermometers and conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) casts. A well developed pycnocline was frequently observed around 150–200 m depth near the shelf break accompanied with the development of internal waves with short time scale. During the cruise in May 1998, the intensified internal wave motion with short time scale and the distinct offshore flow were observed just below the lower pycnocline, which shoaled and extended above the shelf area. It is suggested that vertical mixing generated by amplified internal waves would produce cross-shelf ageostophic density current around the pycnocline. During the cruise in May 1999, on the other hand, the lower pycnocline was located offshore below the shelf break, and the internal wave motion was amplified just above the lower pycnocline. In this case, the offshore flow should be generated above the lower pycnocline, but vertical profiles of current velocity were not obtained because acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) data were not available around the lower pycnocline.     

Oceanic pycnocline depth retrieval from SAR imagery in the existence of solitary internal waves

Oceanic pycnocline depth is usually inferred from in situ measurements. It is attempted to estimate the depth remotely. As solitary internal waves occur on oceanic pycnocline and propagate along it, it is possible to retrieve the depth indirectly in virtue of the solitary internal waves. A numerical model is presented for retrieving the pycnocline depth from synthetic aperture radar （SAR） images where the solitary internal waves are visible and when ocean waters are fully stratified. This numerical model is constructed by combining the solitary internal wave model and a two-layer ocean model. It is also assumed that the observed groups of solitary internal wave packets on the SAR imagery are generated by local semidiurnal tides. A case study in the East China Sea shows a good agreement with in situ CTD （conductivity-temperature-depth） data.     

内波场中水平桩柱波阻的实验研究

分析水平阻力与内波波要素的关系,采用实验室实验的方法,研究了水平桩柱与内波的相互作用,焦点是研究内波波要素与波阻之间的关系。实验中的密度分层采用典型跃层型剖面,而内波是由自行研制的造波机生成。实验结果表明,当内波的频率不变时,水平桩柱所受到的阻力随着内波的振幅增加而增加,它的量值与分层有关。对于强跃层的密度分布,当桩柱处在跃层中时,受到的水平波阻较小,而在跃层之外则受到较大的水平波阻。     

Pulsatile vortex generators for low-speed maneuvering of small underwater vehicles

Compact zero-mass pulsatile jet actuators are proposed for low-speed maneuvering and station keeping of small underwater vehicles.¹ The flow field of such jets are initially dominated by vortex ring formation. Pinched-off vortices characterize the extremum impulse accumulated by the leading vortex ring in a vortex ring formation process. Relevant parameters in this process are identified in order to design simple and low cost zero-mass pulsatile jet actuators. Thrust optimization of synthetic jets for maximal thrust generation is achieved by enforcing the jet formation number to be around 4. Prototypes of such actuators are built and tested for underwater maneuvering and propulsion. The actuators could be used in two ways: (i) to improve the low-speed maneuvering and station keeping capabilities of traditional propeller driven underwater vehicles, and (ii) as a synthetic jet for flow control and drag reduction at higher cruising speeds. A model for calculating the rotation rate of the underwater vehicle is also proposed and verified.     

Mathematical modeling of turbulent jets of deep-water sewage discharge into coastal basins

The basic properties of the dynamic model of a turbulent jet formed by a deep-water sewage discharge into the stratified environment of coastal regions are considered. The model developed was used to estimate the parameters of a floating-up jet of deep wastewater discharge from Sand Island into the basin of Mamala Bay (Hawaii) depending on the season and discharge operation mode. The estimates of the float-up depths of the jet and the initial dilution of the jet were estimated on the basis of model calculations using experimental data on the vertical profiles of the water temperature and salinity under the actual conditions of stratification in the study region. It is shown that the further propagation of the wastewater jet depends on tidal events and internal waves generated by tides. The appearance of turbulent jets at the sea surface was recorded. The model estimates of the parameters of the wastewater discharge were compared with the results of experimental measurements. Good agreement was found, which indicates that the physical mechanisms of the propagation of turbulent jets in a stratified medium are adequately described by the model.     

静水和动水环境中水下溢油浮射流初步实验及数值模拟

为深入研究井喷和管道破损等海底事故后溢油在水下环境中的输移扩散过程,文章利用自制的组合式环形水槽（周长9.7 m、宽0.45 m、深1 m）,以阿曼原油与消油剂混合物和淡水（含示踪剂）为模拟污染物,初步开展静水和动水环境中海底溢油浮射流的物理模拟实验,并应用基于拉格朗日积分方法的水下溢油浮射流模型进行数值模拟比较分析。研究结果表明:静水环境中,水下溢油浮射流主要沿喷口的垂直中心线向水面输移扩散;非均匀流动水环境中,横流速度越大,浮射流输移轨迹的弯曲程度越明显;数值模拟的浮射流轨迹总体上与实验观测结果符合较好;研究结果可为今后相关物理实验和数值模型的改进研究提供有益参考。     

Influence of Coupled Rossby Waves on Primary Productivity and Tuna Abundance in the Indian Ocean

Interannual coupled Rossby waves in the extratropical Indian Ocean propagate westward in covarying pycnocline depth, sea surface temperature, and meridional surface wind anomalies from the west coast of Australia between 15°S and 35°S, taking 3–4 years to transit the interior ocean to Madagascar. In the interior subtropical gyre, where the tuna longline catch (TLC) mainly concerns two species (albacore and bigeye), these waves have been observed to affect year-to-year changes in catch, with wave crests (troughs) in the main pycnocline associated with high (low) TLC anomalies. This suggested that tuna longline catch is associated with the entrainment of nutrient-rich pycnocline water into the photic zone and a subsequent increase in primary productivity there. Here, this hypothesis is examined within the context of SeaWiFS chlorophyll concentration (CC). We find the situation the opposite of that expected, with wave crests (troughs) in the main pycnocline associated with low (high) CC anomalies averaged over the photic zone. These results are shown to be consistent with a model relating the anomalous CC tendency to upper-layer divergence in the wave, not unlike that relating surface slicks to upper-layer divergence in internal gravity waves. Thus, the connection between interannual coupled Rossby waves and TLC in the interior subtropical gyre does not appear to derive from wave-induced modulation of the pelagic food web. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

东海内陆架春季跃层和内波影响下的环境要素分布

基于东海内陆架P2连续站春季流速和环境要素的观测数据,发现该站存在由浙闽沿岸水系和陆架混合水系界面形成的较强跃层,跃层的浮频率在1×10-3s-2左右。跃层上下水体的温盐值变化和流场的变化有相关关系。环境要素在跃层的影响下呈现显著的分层结构,说明跃层对环境要素的垂直交换起到了限制作用。同时跃层的存在也为内波的产生提供了条件,斜压结构主要由具有半日潮频率的内潮和近惯性频率的内波组成。在观测开始和结束时刻,跃层深度显著抬升,跃层中存在Ri-1大于4的情况,这与叶绿素溶解氧跨跃层现象存在的时刻对应,说明这两个时刻水体由于内波活动改变了跃层深度并存在剪切不稳定的情况,进而引起了水体的垂向交换,为环境要素的跨跃层混合提供了条件。跃层和内波分别对环境要素的垂直混合起到了阻碍和加强的作用。     

Numerical study on three-dimensional waves produced by a bottom jet

The eruption of an underwater volcano can initiate the disturbances of the sea surface and subsequently generate a group of outward-propagating tsunamis. The theme of this study is to introduce a three-dimensional (3D) fully nonlinear wave model for the simulation of wave motions induced by a bottom jet. A boundary-fitted coordinate system is utilized to conveniently adjust grids according to the transient moving free surface. The governing Laplace equation of the velocity potential is solved by an implicit finite-difference scheme while a mixed explicit/implicit iteration procedure is applied to solve the free-surface boundary conditions. In addition, a set of generalized Boussinesq equations are solved for comparison with the fully nonlinear model. Good agreements in comparisons with the existing numerical and analytical solutions are achieved for cases investigated. Waves induced by three types of bottom jets: namely (1) sudden eruption, (2) initial transient, and (3) periodic transient are discussed in this paper. For the case of sudden erupted jet, a system of 3D outgoing waves as the cylindrical wave pattern are presented and discussed. For the initial transient types, it shows the transition in the incipient stage has a great influence on the initial rising of the water surface and the induced leading waves. Furthermore, an interesting up-down phenomenon in the center of disturbed free surface due to the type of periodic jet is revealed.     

The Structure of A Turbulent Jet in A Crossfiow--Effect of Jet-Crossfiow Velocity

A comprehensive numerical study on the three-dimensional structure of a turbulent jet in crossflow is performed. Thejet-to-crossflow velocity ratio (R) varies in the range of 2 ～ 16; both vertical jets and inclined jets without excess streamwisemomentum are considered. The numerical results of the standard two-equation k-~ model show that the turbulent structurecan be broadly categorised according to the jet-to-crossflow velocity ratio. For strong to moderate jet discharges, i.e. R >4, the jet is characterized by a longitudinal transition through a bent-over phase during which the jet becomes almost parallelwith the main freestream, to a sectional vortex-pair flow with double concentration maxima; the computed flow details andscalar mixing characteristics can be described by self-similar relations beyond a dimensionless distance of around 20 ～ 60.The similarity coefficients are only weakly dependent on R. The cross-section scalar field is kidney-shaped and bifurcated,with distinct double concentration maxima; the aspect ratio is found to be around 1.2. A loss in vertical momentum is ob-served and the added mass coefficient of the jet motion is found to be approximately 1. On the other hand, for weak jets instrong crossflow, i.e. R≤ 2, the lee of the jet is characterized by a negative pressure region. Although the double vortexflow can still be noted, the scalar field becomes more symmetrical and no longer bifurcated. The similarity coeffcients are al-so noticeably different. The predicted jet flow characteristics and mixing rates are well supported by experimental and field data     

Mooring observed mode-2 internal solitary waves in the northern South China Sea

The mode-2 internal solitary waves (ISWs) generated by mode-2 internal tide (IT) are identified by mooring observations in the northern South China Sea (SCS) from 2016 to 2017. Two mode-2 ISWs with a re-appearance period of 24.9 h observed on 29 and 30 July 2016 are characterized by type-b ISWs. They occurred when the isotherms compressed obviously in the vertical direction. Modal decomposition of IT horizontal currents shows that the vertical compression of the isotherms is mainly caused by diurnal mode-2 IT. The analysis of the role of the density stratification reveals that a deeper and thinner pycnocline is favorable for generation of mode-2 ISWs rather than pycnocline intensity. By comparing the mode-2 nonlinear, dispersion coefficients and the Ursell numbers calculated based on the stratification associated with different kinds of ITs with the observation results, it is shown that the diurnal mode-2 IT plays a crucial role in the generation of the mode-2 ISWs. When the diurnal mode-2 IT interacts with the semidiurnal IT and causes a deeper and thinner pycnocline, the mode-2 ISWs are easily excited.     

失稳背景流下对称型海洋内波的生成演变

本文采用无海底地形但考虑海洋跃层和剪切背景流的二维非静力准不可压缩方程组的数值模式,开展失稳垂向剪切背景流下线性和非线性对称型海洋内波生成演变的数值实验,并对结果进行分析、比较和讨论。研究结果表明,线性内波强度随积分时间始终呈指数增长,并有内波的对称不稳定;而非线性内波强度则在发展期呈准线性增长,最终进入稳定期。线性增长比非线性增长要快得多,非线性效应具有维稳作用。对该线性和非线性对称型内波,在跃层附近位密度扰动均有大值中心,即其为跃层所俘获,这与实际观测相一致;流函数与位密度扰动两者均有很好配合,位密度扰动的正、负中心分别相应于流函数的上升、下沉运动,表明有从海底向上的斜对流发生,且以跃层为顶盖。对线性内波来说,随积分时间增加,其波形大体不变,其正、负振幅也大体相同,并有符号相反原地增长的两个倾斜环流圈,而在它们之间则有较强倾斜上升流。非线性内波波形随积分时间改变,倾斜环流圈数目也在增加,最终形成负环流强于正环流的结果,并导致流函数、位密度扰动水平梯度剧增,其可视为间断。     

Effect of the seasonal thermocline on the spatial/temporal structure of internal waves

Mathematical modelling techniques are applied to study the influence of the seasonal pycnocline on the propagation and attenuation of internal waves in an ocean with a main pycnocline. This paper discusses the peculiarities of dispersive dependences, group velocities, and of the velocity field's amplitudinal characteristics induced by the seasonal pycnocline. Short-period motions have been observed to concentrate within the latter, and the conditions causing a modification of the environment's waveguide properties for non-stationary wave packets, associated with the existence of two pycnoclines, have been identified.Translated by Vladimir A. Puchkin.     

The spectral characteristics and kinematics of short-period internal waves on the Hawaiian shelf

Based on the results of analyzing the characteristics of currents and temperature measured in the water space of the Mamala Bay (the Island of Oahu, Hawaii), we investigate the main properties of the field of short-period internal waves, which is very complex. We focus on analyzing the spectral characteristics and orbit parameters for waves with a period of 20 minutes. The results of investigations reveal two types of short-period internal waves for this area: intense and fast waves propagating predominantly toward the ocean and weaker and slower waves propagating mainly toward the coast. Suppositions are made on how these waves form: the strong and fast waves are likely to be caused by the decay of locally generated internal tides near the shelf edge, while the weak and slow and very short waves seem to result from the specific interaction between the pycnocline and strong tidal currents over a steep slope.     

High-frequency acoustic volume backscattering in the Georges Bankcoastal region and its interpretation using scattering models

High-frequency (120 and 420 kHz) sound was used to survey sound scatterers in the water over Georges Bank. In addition to the biological sound scatterers (the plankton and micronekton), scattering associated with internal waves and suspended sediment was observed. Volume backscattering was more homogeneous in the vertical dimension (with occasional patches) in the shallow central portion of the Bank where there is significant mixing. In the deeper outer portion of the Bank where the water is stratified, volume backscattering was layered and internal waves modulated the vertical position of the layers in the pycnocline. The internal waves typically had amplitudes of 5-20 m, but sometimes much higher. Species composition and size data from samples of the animals and suspended sediment used in conjunction with acoustic scattering models revealed that throughout the region the animals generally dominate the scattering, but there are times and places where sand particles (suspended as high as up to the sea surface) can dominate. The source of the scattering in the internal waves is probably due to a combination of both animals and sound-speed microstructure. Determination of their relative contributions requires further study     

横流环境中水下溢油输移扩散的实验研究

文章基于自制的组合式环形水槽（周长9.7 m、宽0.45 m、深1.0 m）,分别以阿曼原油及其消油剂混合物和淡水（含示踪剂）为模拟污染物,开展水下溢油的物理模拟实验,以浮射流输移轨迹、污染物扩散范围和油滴粒径分布为考察指标,研究横流环境和消油剂的使用对水下溢油输移扩散的影响。实验结果表明:在横流环境中,浮射流输移轨迹开始弯曲的高度随着流速的增加而降低;与淡水浮射流主要在水中输移扩散的情况不同,当污染物为原油时,大粒径油滴脱离浮射流主体并上浮至水面,导致扩散范围更大;消油剂的添加会使原油浮射流内部油滴的体积中值粒径变小,油滴粒径分布曲线向小尺寸方向偏移。实验结果可为后续的物理模拟实验和数值模拟研究提供参考。     

Effects of westward shoaling pycnocline on characteristics and energetics of internal solitary wave in the Luzon Strait by numerical simulations

An internal gravity wave model was employed to simulate the generation of internal solitary waves(ISWs) over a sill by tidal flows. A westward shoaling pycnocline parameterization scheme derived from a three-parameter model was adopted, and then 14 numerical experiments were designed to investigate the influence of the pycnocline thickness, density difference across the pycnocline, westward shoaling isopycnal slope angle and pycnocline depth on the ISWs. When the pycnocline thickness on both sides of the sill increases, the total barotropic kinetic energy, total baroclinic energy and ratio of baroclinic kinetic energy(KE) to available potential energy(APE) decrease, whilst the depth of isopycnal undergoing maximum displacement and ratio of baroclinic energy to barotropic energy increase. When the density difference on both sides of the sill decreases synchronously, the total barotropic kinetic energy, ratio of baroclinic energy to barotropic energy and total baroclinic energy decrease, whilst the depth of isopycnal undergoing maximum displacement increases. When the westward shoaling isopycnal slope angle increases, the total baroclinic energy increases whilst the depth of turning point almost remains unchanged. When the depth of westward shoaling pycnocline on both sides of the sill reduces, the ratio of baroclinic energy to barotropic energy and total baroclinic energy decrease, whilst the total barotropic kinetic energy and ratio of KE to APE increase. When one of the above four different influencing factors was increased by 10% while the other factors keep unchanged, the amplitude of the leading soliton in ISW Packet A was decreased by 2.80%, 7.47%, 3.21% and 6.42% respectively. The density difference across the pycnocline and the pycnocline depth are the two most important factors in affecting the characteristics and energetics of ISWs.