Rotating exchange flows through straits with multiple channels

Abstract

Results show that the quasi-steady exchange flux for simple channels varies in a way similar to a theoretical prediction by Whitehead et al. (1974).  When an island is introduced, the dimensional flux is larger than without an island for R₀ ~ 1.  However, the total exchange is less than the sum of exchanges that would be expected from each individual channel.  Furthermore, for R₀ > 1 the non-dimensional cross-channel slope at the narrows is shallower than predicted by Dalziel (1988)’s semi-geostrophic theory for simple channels.  However, scaling R₀ using a reduced channel width in the island cases leads to a variation of these quantities with R₀ in accordance with theory.  For R₀ > 1 two-layer flow persisted across the channel at the narrows with or without an island, but distinctly flows occurred for lower R₀.  One quasi-steady state with R₀ ~ 0.7 showed a ‘spilt’ regime with upper and lower layer currents passing on different sides of the island (left, looking downstream, respectively).  A recirculation near the island tips was noticeable, particularly for R₀ << 1, where distinct jets circulated around the tips, opposing the flow of same density on the other side of the island.  A similar phenomenon has been found in some oceanic strait flows.  Flow at very low R₀ did not appear to reach a steady state but instead showed an oscillating current around the narrows associated with several, often barotropic, vortices.  Instantaneous flow fields in those cases, however, still showed an exchange between the reservoirs, with one island case showing a flow split by the island and almost barotropic on either side.  There, fluxes were twice as high as predicted by two-layer theory.

Our study showed that the combination of rotation and an island introduce significant 3-dimensional aspects to the flow, not present in non-rotating exchange flows.

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