

@mastersthesis {6904,
	title = {Experimental observations of a density-driven boundary current},
	year = {1996},
	note = {9718763},
	school = {University of Delaware},
	type = {phdPh.{D}.},
	address = {Ann Arbor},
	abstract = {The characteristics of a density-driven boundary current are investigated in a laboratory setting. Experiments were performed utilizing rotating turntables, with dyed fresh water released into a basin of saline water, forming a density-driven boundary current that flows in the direction of Kelvin wave propagation. Examination of visual records and salinity data indicate the width of the boundary current is approximately 2-4 baroclinic Rossby radii (\$R{\textbackslash}sb\{d\}\$). The width of the mean current is nearly constant with respect to time and alongshore distance. Scaling the depth-averaged offshore momentum equation, I find that the boundary current is geostrophic when the buoyant layer of thickness H is in close proximity to the bottom (\$H/D{\textbackslash}sim O\$(1)). It is also geostrophic offshore when the buoyant layer is far removed from the bottom (\$H/D{\textbackslash}sim O\$(0.1)). Scaling of the depth-averaged alongshore momentum equation indicates that the first-order balance is between local acceleration, Coriolis acceleration, and the baroclinic pressure gradient. Advective acceleration and bottom stress (only for \$H/D{\textbackslash}sim O\$(1)) contribute to the second-order balance. As the boundary current is geostrophic in the offshore direction, I utilize the thermal wind equations with the salinity and velocity data to determine the alongshore velocity field with depth. These velocities agree well with in-situ measurements taken at various alongshore positions. I also find a counter-current, which is located offshore of the boundary current. The velocity of the counter-current has the same order of magnitude as the alongshore velocity of the buoyant boundary current. The propagation speed of the nose of the boundary current is found to decay as \$(fT){\textbackslash}sp\{-1/2\}\$ for non-dimensional times of O(100). The decay of the nose velocity changed to \$(fT){\textbackslash}sp\{-1\}\$ for non-dimensional times of O(1000). The proximity of the bottom, as well an offshore bottom slope, are also found to affect the propagation speed of the nose.},
	keywords = {0415:Oceanography, Coastal, continental shelf, currents, Earth sciences, Oceanography},
	url = {http://search.proquest.com/docview/304253096?accountid=14270},
	author = {Mavor, Timothy Patrick}
}
