Mixing at a Sheared, Fingering Interface

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0117782Rehmann/UIUCThis project is a study of how the dynamics of a thermohaline intrusion changes as a function of stratification, shear strength, and ambient turbulence. A particular focus is the interaction between salt-fingers and mechanically generated turbulence and the way the two combine to produce vertical fluxes. The study will be carried out in a laboratory setting designed to permit the detailed observation of an arrested wedge of cold, fresh water in an ambient warm, salty flow. Experiments will be conducted with and without turbulence generated by stationary and oscillating grids. The experiment seeks to obtain a qualitative and quantitative description of a ubiquitous oceanic phenomenon that is difficult to observe in situ. If successful, it will provide significant insight into the mixing of water masses with different temperature and salinity properties.