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Intrusions are commonly observed in the upper, deep and coastal oceans, and are closely linked to lateral fluxes of heat, salt and momentum. This is a review of observations of intrusions and the results of comparisons of properties such as scale, slopes, microstructure activity, and fluxes with the...
Main Authors: | , , |
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Other Authors: | |
Format: | Text |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2002
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.493.9319 http://www.phys.ocean.dal.ca/programs/doubdiff/final_pdfs/Ruddick_Richards.pdf |
Summary: | Intrusions are commonly observed in the upper, deep and coastal oceans, and are closely linked to lateral fluxes of heat, salt and momentum. This is a review of observations of intrusions and the results of comparisons of properties such as scale, slopes, microstructure activity, and fluxes with theoretical models. A summary of estimates of lateral heat fluxes indicates a wide range of lateral diffusivities. We conclude by noting that our present knowledge is insufficient to predict the structure, lengthscales and lateral fluxes of thermohaline intrusions with confidence, and list a number of unresolved questions. Suggestions are made for collection of existing data into a database for exploratory analysis and testing of theoretical hypotheses. An outline is given of a potential collaborative field experiment using CTD, fluorescent dye, and microstructure observations. |
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