Abstract
When a region of well-mixed turbulence adjoins stably stratified layers, the turbulence is distorted by the eddies impacting on the stable layer and the stable layer is perturbed by waves induced by the turbulence. These processes affect entrainment, the wave energy flux from the inversion and diffusion of scalars near the interface. A new theory for this interaction is outlined briefly here and is compared with the results of large eddy simulations of Deardorff & Moeng, and field measurements. The theory shows that L.E.S. cannot generally resolve some of the significant wave motions that occur near the interface. Nevertheless the agreement is reasonably satisfactory. Particle trajectories near interfaces have been computed by means of a two-dimensional simulation using random Fourier modes. It is shown that previous estimates of Lagrangian time scales for vertical velocity fluctuations are generally too small, which has implications for transfer processes near interfaces.
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Carruthers, D.J., Hunt, J.C.R., Turfus, C.J. (1986). Turbulent Flow Near Density Inversion Layers. In: Schumann, U., Friedrich, R. (eds) Direct and Large Eddy Simulation of Turbulence. Notes on Numerical Fluid Mechanics. Vieweg+Teubner Verlag, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-663-00197-3_18
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-663-00197-3_18
Publisher Name: Vieweg+Teubner Verlag, Wiesbaden
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