Environmental Stratified Flows

The dynamics of flows in density-stratified fluids has been and remains now an important topic for scientific enquiry. Such flows arise in many contexts, ranging from industrial settings to the oceanic and atmospheric environments. It is the latter topic which is the focus of this book. Both the ocean and atmosphere are characterised by the basic vertical density stratification, and this feature can affect the dynamics on all scales ranging from the micro-scale to the planetary scale. The aim of this book is to provide a “state-of-the-art” account of stratified flows as they are relevant to the ocean and atmosphere with a primary focus on meso-scale phenomena; that is, on phenomena whose time and space scales are such that the density stratification is a dominant effect, so that frictional and diffusive effects on the one hand and the effects of the earth’s rotation on the other hand can be regarded as of less importance. This in turn leads to an emphasis on internal waves.

This book covers the theory of stratified flows, from basic concepts to recent developments in environmental fluid mechanics. State-of-the-art numerical techniques suited for stratified flows are given, along with results of recent research in the areas of environmental stratified flows. The book offers a unified view of stratified turbulent flows, from small-scale mixing to large-scale environmental phenomena, including detailed discussion on interaction between turbulence and internal gravity waves.

The present lecture notes cover a first course in th~ most common types of stratified flows encountered in Environ mental Hydraulics. Most of the flows are buoyancy flows, i.e. currents in which gravity acts on small density differences. Part I presents the basic concepts of stagnant, densit- stratified water, and of flowing non-miscible stratified fluids. The similarity to the (presumed) well-known open channel flow, subject to a reduced gravity, is illustrated. Part II treats the miscible density stratified flows. In outlining the governing equations, the strong coupling between the turbulence (the mixing) and the mean flow is emphasized. The presentation and discussions of the basic governing equa tions are followed by illustrative examples. Separate chapters are devoted to Dense Bottom Currents, Free Penetrative Convec tion, Wind-driven Stratified Flow, Horizontal Buoyancy Flow and Vertical jet/plumes. Part III presents some examples of practical problems solved on the basis of knowledge given in the present lecture notes. It is the author's experience that the topics treated in chapter 8 and in the subsequent chapters are especially well suited for self-tuition, followed by a study-circle. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The author has benefited by the valuable help of his col legues at the Institute of Hydrodynamics and Hydraulic Engin eering, the Technical University of Denmark, especially our librarian Mrs. Kirsten Dj¢rup, our secretary Mrs. Marianne Lewis and our technical draftsman Mrs. Liselotte Norup.

Free Surface Flow: Environmental Fluid Mechanics introduces a wide range of environmental fluid flows, such as water waves, land runoff, channel flow, and effluent discharge. The book provides systematic analysis tools and basic skills for study fluid mechanics in natural and constructed environmental flows. As the prediction of changes in free surfaces in rivers, lakes, estuaries and in the ocean directly affects the design of structures that control surface waters, and because planning for the allocation of fresh-water resources in a sustainable manner is an essential goal, this book provides the necessary background and research. Helps users determine the transfer of solute mass through the air-water interface Presents tactics on the impact of free shear flow in the environment and how to quantify mixing mechanisms in turbulent jets and wakes Gives users tactics to predict the fate and transport of contaminants in stratified lakes and estuaries