Shear-Induced Vertical Mixing in the Wyville Thomson Basin: A Study of its Driving Mechanisms, Strength and Influence

Abstract

Direct observations of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate are presented and analysed in this thesis, along with some theoretical studies to aid their interpretation. Vertical mixing in the study region is strongly coupled with the internal tide, generated by flow over the local topographic features. Modelling work shows the strength of mixing calculated from the observations to be representative of the study region, hence allowing for an assessment to be made on the influence of such mixing on a larger scale. Sensitivity of a hydraulically controlled overflow to changes in density as a result of observed mixing and associated heat flux is considered. To understand the motivation for focusing on the small scale mixing in the Faroese channels, it is necessary first to introduce the importance of the overflow region from a global perspective.

Date of Award	26 Nov 2011
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Edinburgh
Sponsors	Marine Scotland Science & NERC
Supervisor	Mark Inall (Supervisor), Toby Sherwin (Supervisor) & Bill Tirrell (Supervisor)