Surface currents and turbulent mixing were observed during a near-inertial wave (NIW) using an accousting doppler current profiler (ADCP) and satellite-tracked drifters. Drifter trajectories sampled at three depth levels show characteristics of an Ekman solution superposed with the NIW. Velocity and dissipation estimates from the ADCP reveal strong shear with a distinct constant flux layer in between the roughness length and a critical depth at 4m. Below, a shear free slab layer performing an inertial oscillation is observed. Dissipation, as estimated from the vertical beam of the ADCP, peaks in the wave-enhanced friction layer when the current opposes the wind and wave direction. Below the constant flux layer, maximum turbulence is observed when the NIW is in a phase that is in opposite direction to the time-averaged current. During this phase, currents at various depths rapidly realign in the entire boundary layer.
CITATION STYLE
Röhrs, J., Halsne, T., Sutherland, G., Dagestad, K. F., Hole, L. R., Broström, G., & Christensen, K. H. (2023). Current shear and turbulence during a near-inertial wave. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1115986
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