Axial convergence in a well-mixed estuary |
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| Authors: | RA Nunes JH Simpson |
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| Institution: | 1. Flinders Institute for Atmospheric and Marine Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia;2. Marine Science Laboratories, University College of North Wales, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5EY, Gwynedd, U.K. |
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| Abstract: | Transverse secondary circulations involving surface convergence, observed in a well-mixed estuary in North Wales, are made visible by the collection of surface material along an axial line which extends continuously for many kilometres through the estuary. The circulation and axial convergence, however, are seen only during the flood phase of the tide and no similar behaviour has been observed during the ebb phase.Convergent circulations in the estuary are associated with small but steady transverse density gradients in the cross-section, produced by non-uniform advection of the longitudinal gradient through the channel. A diagnostic model, using measured mean distributions of cross-sectional density, indicates surface transverse velocities (～0.1 ms?1) similar to those observed in the estuary. The model further predicts appreciable transverse divergent currents at a fractional depth of 0.75: a prediction which has been tested in the estuary using a vertical array of accurately resolving current direction indicators. |
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| Keywords: | fronts convergence circulation estuaries downwelling Wales |
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