Oceanic thermohaline intrusions: observations |
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Authors: | B. Ruddick K. Richards |
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Affiliation: | a Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S., B3H 4J1, Canada;b School of Ocean and Earth Science, Southampton Oceanography Centre, Empress Dock, European Way, Southampton, Hampshire SO14 3ZH, UK |
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Abstract: | Intrusions are commonly observed in the upper, deep and coastal oceans, and are closely linked to lateral fluxes of heat, salt and momentum. This is a review of observations of intrusions and the results of comparisons of properties such as scale, slopes, microstructure activity, and fluxes with theoretical models. A summary of estimates of lateral heat fluxes indicates a wide range of lateral diffusivities. We conclude by noting that our present knowledge is insufficient to predict the structure, length-scales and lateral fluxes of thermohaline intrusions with confidence, and list a number of unresolved questions. Suggestions are made for compilation of existing data into a database for exploratory analysis and testing of theoretical hypotheses. An outline is given of a potential collaborative field experiment using CTD, fluorescent dye, and microstructure observations. |
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