Double-diffusive interfaces in Lake Kivu reproduced by direct numerical simulations
OPEN ACCESS
Loading...
Author / Producer
Date
2014-07-28
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
OPEN ACCESS
Data
Rights / License
Abstract
Double diffusion transforms uniform background gradients of temperature and salinity into “staircases” of homogeneous mixed layers that are separated by high-gradient interfaces. Direct numerical simulations (DNS) and microstructure measurements are two independent methods of estimating double-diffusive fluxes. By performing DNS under similar conditions as found in our measurements in Lake Kivu, we are able to compare results from both methods for the first time. We find that (i) the DNS reproduces the measured interface thicknesses of in situ microstructure profiles, (ii) molecular heat fluxes through interfaces capture the total vertical heat fluxes for density ratios larger than three, and (iii) the commonly used heat flux parameterization underestimates the total fluxes by a factor of 1.3 to 2.2.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
External links
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
41 (14)
Pages / Article No.
5114 - 5121
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
double diffusion; direct numerical simulation; microstructure; Lake Kivu; interface fluxes; density flux ratio