Thesis (S.M.)--Joint Program in Physical Oceanography (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-82). / A simple quasi-two dimensional dynamical model of Thermohaline circulation (THC) is developed, assuming that the mixing only occurs near western and eastern boundary layers. When the surface density is prescribed, the climatically important quantities, such as the strength of overturning and meridional heat transport, are related to the zonal integral over the vigorously mixing regions and scaled as (KvΔx)2/3. The numerical results suggest that the density difference between eastern and western boundaries play an important role in the meridional overturning. The eastern boundary is characterized by the upwelling on top of downwelling. The western boundary layer is featured by the universal upwelling. The inefficiency of diffusion heat transport accounts for the narrowness of sinking region and shallowness of overturning cell in one-hemisphere. The experiments with other surface boundary conditions are also explored. The circulation patterns obtained are similar under various surface temperature distributions, suggesting these are very robust features of THC. The role of boundary mixing is further explored in global ocean. The 2 1/2 dynamical model is extended to two-hemisphere ocean. Additional dynamics such as Rayleigh friction and abyssal water properties are taken into account. A set of complicated governing equations are derived and numerically solved to obtain steady state solution. The basic circulation features are revealed in our dynamical model. An equtorially asymmetric meridional circulation is observed due to small perturbation at the surface temperature in the high latitude. The density differences between eastern and western boundaries are distinct in both hemispheres. This is achieved during the spin-up process. Although the dynamical model results agree well with OGCM results in one-hemisphere, several important dynamics are lacking and exposed in two-hemisphere experiments. We need to consider horizontal advection terms which will effectively advect positive density anomalies across the equator and form the deep water for the entire system. / by Hua Ru. / S.M.

Thesis: S.M., Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2015. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 119-122). / The scattering of low-mode internal tides by ocean-floor topography is extensively studied through analytical models and field observations at the Line Islands Ridge (LIR). An existing Green function method is utilized to examine the generation of internal tides by idealized topographic shapes as well as realistic transects of the LIR. The method is also applied to examine the scattering of a mode-1 internal tide at these topographies to determine the relative high mode energy flux due to generated and scattered internal tides at the realistic transects. A method of determining the modal content of an internal wave field is advanced to account for arbitrary stratification and rotation. It is then adjusted to allow for image loss as is common to oceanographic studies. Its performance is compared to the existing regression method widely used by oceanographers to determine the modal content of internal tides. The results from this comparison are used to inform the analysis of the field observations. This thesis concludes by examining the modal content of the LIR as determined from measurements taken during the 150-day EXperiment on Internal Tide Scattering (EXITS) NSF field study. Motivated by satellite altimetry data and three-dimensional numerical model studies, the EXITS cruise sought to observe the internal tide scattering process in the ocean for the first time. The data from three moorings equipped with moored profilers, spanning total depths of 3000-5000 m is analyzed to determine the modal content of the southward propagating internal tide before and after it encounters the ridge for evidence of topographic scattering. / by Maha Niametullah Haji. / S.M.

Internal waves are generated in stratified fluids, like the ocean, where density increases with depth. Tides are one of the major generation mechanisms of internal waves. As the tides move water back and forth over underwater topography, internal waves can be generated. Topography slope and amplitude are major factors in the behavior of the generated internal wave field. In order to further understand the effects topographic shape plays, the effect of asymmetry on internal waves is investigated. This research investigates internal waves generated by dual-ridge topographies. Four cases of symmetric topographies, T, M, W, and W2, with three different peak spacings are compared to their singular ridge counter parts at three oscillation frequencies, ω = 0.6N, ω = 0.75N, and ω = 0.9N. Both subcritical and supercritical symmetric ridges were investigated. Experiments were also performed for subcritical, asymmetric dual ridges at the middle oscillation frequency. The internal wave fields were captured with synthetic schlieren and analyzed with the Hilbert transform and sum of kinetic energy in wavenumber space. It is found that for wave fields from substantially separated ridges, mixing and wave interference occurs that decreases total kinetic energy of the system.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth and Planetary Science, 1982. / Microfiche copy available in Archives and Science / Vita. / Bibliography: leaves 217-223. / by Frances Luellen Stephenson Hotchkiss. / Ph.D.

Este trabalho visa avaliar o efeito do movimento vertical da comunidade fitoplanctônica nos máximos subsuperficiais de clorofila (MSC) ao longo da termoclina devido a propagação de ondas internas na porção externa da Plataforma Continental Sudeste do Brasil. A região está sujeita as intrusões da Água Central do Atlântico Sul (ACAS) e a coluna de água permanece estratificada entre a primavera e o verão. Altas concentrações de nutrientes na camada de fundo dominada pela ACAS sustentam a produção nova da comunidade fitoplanctônica nos MSC da base da zona eufótica. Dados hidrográficos e biogeoquímicos tais como temperatura, salinidade, nutrientes, clorofila-a e taxas de fotossíntese foram monitorados durante uma série temporal diurna de 48 horas sobre a isóbata de 100 metros ao largo da Ilha de São Sebastião (SP) em intervalos de 1 hora. Entretanto, apesar da disponibilidade de nutrientes, a produção fotossintética pode ser limitada pela baixa intensidade luminosa nesses níveis. O movimento vertical induzido por ondas eleva o MSC, colocando-o em uma profundidade mais iluminada e podendo aumentar significativamente a produtividade local. Ao contrário do que observado na literatura, a passagem de ondas internas não aumentou a concentração de nutrientes na camada de mistura. Os resultados revelaram que as ondas internas podem aumentar em até 24% a fixação de carbono e, portanto, sugerem que as estimativas de produção primária obtidas até agora na zona eufótica do Embaiamento de Santos devem ser reavaliadas. / The aim of this research is to evaluate the effect of the vertical displacement of phytoplankton community in subsurface chlorophyll maxima (SCM) on the primary production due to passage of internal waves at outer portion of Brazilian southwestern continental shelf. The study area is influenced by intrusions of South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) thus allowing the water column to remain stably stratified during spring and summer seasons. The new primary production in the SCM at the base of the euphotic zone is sustained by high nutrient concentration in subthermocline portion of the water column, which is directly influenced by SACW intrusions. Hydrographic and biochemical data such as water temperature, salinity, nutrient and chlorophyll-a concentration, as well as photosynthesis rates, were monitored for roughly 48 hours at the fixed location over the 100 m isobath off Sao Sebastiao Island (Southeastern Brazil Bight). In spite of nutrient availability, photosynthetic production may be limited by low light conditions in subthermocline depths. Vertical displacements driven by internal wave propagation may increase light availability in the SCM, therefore having the potential to raise local productivity. Despite previous reports, no significant nutrient concentration increase in the mixed layer was observed during internal wave propagation. The results point to an increase in up to 30% of carbon fixation due to internal waves\' passage and therefore suggest that previous estimates of primary productivity in the Santos Bight should be reviewed.

Este trabalho visa avaliar o efeito do movimento vertical da comunidade fitoplanctônica nos máximos subsuperficiais de clorofila (MSC) ao longo da termoclina devido a propagação de ondas internas na porção externa da Plataforma Continental Sudeste do Brasil. A região está sujeita as intrusões da Água Central do Atlântico Sul (ACAS) e a coluna de água permanece estratificada entre a primavera e o verão. Altas concentrações de nutrientes na camada de fundo dominada pela ACAS sustentam a produção nova da comunidade fitoplanctônica nos MSC da base da zona eufótica. Dados hidrográficos e biogeoquímicos tais como temperatura, salinidade, nutrientes, clorofila-a e taxas de fotossíntese foram monitorados durante uma série temporal diurna de 48 horas sobre a isóbata de 100 metros ao largo da Ilha de São Sebastião (SP) em intervalos de 1 hora. Entretanto, apesar da disponibilidade de nutrientes, a produção fotossintética pode ser limitada pela baixa intensidade luminosa nesses níveis. O movimento vertical induzido por ondas eleva o MSC, colocando-o em uma profundidade mais iluminada e podendo aumentar significativamente a produtividade local. Ao contrário do que observado na literatura, a passagem de ondas internas não aumentou a concentração de nutrientes na camada de mistura. Os resultados revelaram que as ondas internas podem aumentar em até 24% a fixação de carbono e, portanto, sugerem que as estimativas de produção primária obtidas até agora na zona eufótica do Embaiamento de Santos devem ser reavaliadas. / The aim of this research is to evaluate the effect of the vertical displacement of phytoplankton community in subsurface chlorophyll maxima (SCM) on the primary production due to passage of internal waves at outer portion of Brazilian southwestern continental shelf. The study area is influenced by intrusions of South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) thus allowing the water column to remain stably stratified during spring and summer seasons. The new primary production in the SCM at the base of the euphotic zone is sustained by high nutrient concentration in subthermocline portion of the water column, which is directly influenced by SACW intrusions. Hydrographic and biochemical data such as water temperature, salinity, nutrient and chlorophyll-a concentration, as well as photosynthesis rates, were monitored for roughly 48 hours at the fixed location over the 100 m isobath off Sao Sebastiao Island (Southeastern Brazil Bight). In spite of nutrient availability, photosynthetic production may be limited by low light conditions in subthermocline depths. Vertical displacements driven by internal wave propagation may increase light availability in the SCM, therefore having the potential to raise local productivity. Despite previous reports, no significant nutrient concentration increase in the mixed layer was observed during internal wave propagation. The results point to an increase in up to 30% of carbon fixation due to internal waves\' passage and therefore suggest that previous estimates of primary productivity in the Santos Bight should be reviewed.

[Truncated abstract] The process of selective withdrawal has, over many years, been used as an effective tool for extraction of water of particular quality from stratifed reservoirs. While the formation and steady-state theory of selective withdrawal in a stratifed fluid at rest has been extensively studied, little is known how vertical displacements of stratifcation due to long internal waves affect the water quality of the outflows. The first part of this study investigates the effect of basin-scale internal waves on the water quality parameters in Lake Burragorang, a large water supply reservoir for the city of Sydney, Australia. It is shown from field observations how the steady-state formulation of selective withdrawal can be used to predict the outflow water quality in reservoirs where internal waves are present, with a temperature prediction accuracy within 0.2 oC. . . In order to explain fluctuations in water quality parameters of the outflows, such as turbidity, it is important to know not only the stratifcation conditions in front to the offtake, but also to understand the dynamics of suspended particles in the upper reaches of the reservoir. In the third part of this study, transport and settling of suspended particles was investigated in the Wollondilly arm of Lake Burragorang by combination of direct and inverse methods. The inverse method was modifed to enable the separation of advective and diffusive transport of suspended particles from Stokes settling controlled by gravity, yielding twodimensional fields of particle velocities and settling fluxes in the upper reaches of the reservoir. These estimates are compared to the direct measurements of sedimentation fluxes made by the sediment traps and LISST-100.

Cette thèse est dédiée à la modélisation et à l'analyse mathématique de modèles asymptotiques utilisés en océanographie décrivant la propagation des ondes internes à l'interface entre deux couches de fluides de densités différentes, soumis à la seule force de gravité.L'objectif de cette thèse est de construire et justifier de nouveaux modèles asymptotiques prenant en compte la variation de la topographie. Pour ce faire, on pose plusieurs hypothèses de petitesse sur la profondeur de l'eau et sur les déformations à l'interface et au fond. On s'intéresse plus particulièrement à deux régimes de variations topographiques, celui de moyenne amplitude et celui de lentes variations de grande amplitude.La première partie de cette thèse consiste à justifier rigoureusement et étudier mathématiquement (existence, unicité, stabilité et convergence de la solution) deux classes de modèles asymptotiques. Une classe de modèles couplés et une classe de modèles scalaires. Cette dernière classe est caractérisée par la description de la propagation unidirectionnelle des ondes internes.Dans la deuxième partie on propose un schéma numérique pour résoudre le modèle asymptotique couplé dérivé dans la première partie dans le cadre d'un font plat. Ce modèle existant dans la littérature a été reformulé d'une façon plus appropriée pour la résolution numérique en gardant le même ordre de précision que l'original et en améliorant ses propriétés de dispersion. Enfin nous présentons plusieurs simulations numériques pour valider notre schéma. / This thesis is dedicated to the modeling and the mathematical analysis of asymptotic models used in oceanography describing the propagation of internal waves at the interface between two layers of fluids of different densities, under the only influence of gravity.We aim here at constructing and justifying new asymptotic models taking into account variable topography. To this end, we assume several smallness assumptions on the depth of the water and on the deformations at the interface and at the bottom. We are interested in two topographic regimes, one for variations of medium amplitude and one for slow variations with large amplitude.In the first part of this thesis we rigorously justify and mathematically study (existence, uniqueness, stability and convergence of the solution) two classes of asymptotic models. A class of coupled models and a class of scalar models. The latter class is characterized by the description of the propagation of unidirectional internal waves. In the second part we propose a numerical resolution for the coupled asymptotic model derived in the first part restricted to the flat bottom case. This existing model in the literature has been rewritten under a new formulation more suitable for numericalresolution with the same order of precision as the standard one but with improved frequency dispersion. Finally, we present several numerical simulations to validate our scheme.

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Meteorology, 1979. / Microfiche copy available in Archives and Science. / Bibliography : leaves 81-83. / by Affonso da Silveira Mascarenhas, Jr. / M.S.

Three-dimensional linear ray theory is used to investigate internal waves interacting with a Lamb-Chaplygin pancake vortex dipole. These interactions involve waves propagating in the same (co-propagating) and opposite (counter-propagating) horizontal directions as the dipole translation. Co-propagating internal waves in the vertical symmetry plane between the vortices of the dipole can approach critical levels where the wave energy is absorbed by the dipole or where the waves are overturned and possibly break. As wave breaking cannot be simulated with this linear model, changes in wave steepness are calculated to aid in estimating the onset of breaking. Counter-propagating internal waves in the vertical symmetry plane can experience horizontal and vertical reflections, including turning points similar to waves in two-dimensional steady shear. Wave capture is also a possible effect of either type of interaction, depending on initial wave properties and positioning relative to the vortex dipole. Away from the vertical symmetry plane, a spanwise converging (focusing) and diverging (defocusing) of wave energy is observed in co- and counter-propagating interactions as symmetric off-center rays interact with the dipole's individual vortices. Some off-center rays experience multiple horizontal refractions similar to wave trapping.