Mixing Mechanisms in the Ocean: Salt-Fingering and Shear Instability

将利用加勒比片层横断面实验(C-Salt)和斑块实验(PATCHEX)获得的数据，对精细结构和微观结构之间的关系进行分析研究。在C-SALT中的光学观测显示，在有利于盐指的区域出现了水平的，而不是预期的垂直带。将使用两种分析方法来研究这一现象：手指因剪切而伸展和倾斜，以及由于水平侵入而产生的次生不稳定性。更大尺度的CTD数据集将被用来研究层厚度与其他阶梯属性之间的关系，目的是更好地量化垂直盐通量和更大尺度的属性。PATCHEX数据将用于研究剪切不稳定和混合的各个方面，特别是内波与剪切场和应变场之间的关系。

Analytical studies will be made of the relationship between finestructure and microstructure, using data obtained from the Caribbean Sheets and Layers Transects Experiment (C- Salt) and from the Patch Experiment (PATCHEX). Optical observations in C-SALT revealed horizontal, rather than the expected vertical bands in regions favorable to salt fingers. Two analytical approaches will be used to investogate this phenomenon: fingers stretched and tilted by shear, and secondary instabilities due to horizontal intrusions. The larger scale CTD data set will be used to investigate the relationship between layer thickness and other staircase properties with the objective of better quantifying the vertical salt flux and larger scale properties. PATCHEX data will be used to investigate various aspects of shear instability and mixing, specifically the relationship between internal waves and the shear and strain fields.