The impact of multiple layering on internal wave transmission

• Published in: Journal of Fluid Mechanics
• Main Authors: Ghaemsaidi, S. J., Dosser, H. V., Rainville, L., Peacock, T.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2016
• Subjects: Arctic; Arctic Ocean
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2015.682; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022112015006825

Given the ubiquity of layering in environmental stratifications, an interesting example being double-diffusive staircase structures in the Arctic Ocean, we present the results of a joint theoretical and laboratory experimental study investigating the impact of multiple layering on internal wave propagation. We first present results for a simplified model that demonstrates the non-trivial impact of multiple layering. Thereafter, utilizing a weakly viscous linear model that can handle arbitrary vertical stratifications, we perform a comparison of theory with experiments. We conclude by applying this model to a case study of a staircase stratification profile obtained from the Arctic Ocean, finding a rich landscape of transmission behaviour.