Record Details

The Spindown of Bottom-Trapped Plumes

ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University

Field Value
Title The Spindown of Bottom-Trapped Plumes
Names Matano, Ricardo P. (creator)
Palma, Elbio D. (creator)
Date Issued 2010-07 (iso8601)
Abstract This note considers the decay of a bottom-trapped freshwater plume after the causative freshwater inflow
has ceased. It is shown that shortly after the low-density inflow stops, the barotropic pressure field that it
created radiates away and the ocean circulation becomes controlled by baroclinic pressure gradients generated
by the remnants of the inflow. This produces a reversal of the circulation in the region downstream of the
inflow, after which the entire plume starts to move in the upstream direction. The decay of the plume is
henceforth controlled by upstream oceanic flow and dilution through cross-isopycnal mixing.
Genre Article
Identifier Matano, Ricardo P., Elbio D. Palma, 2010: The Spindown of Bottom-Trapped Plumes. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 40, 1651–1658.

© Western Waters Digital Library - GWLA member projects - Designed by the J. Willard Marriott Library - Hosted by Oregon State University Libraries and Press