Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• HOLLAND, Paul R
• KAY, Anthony
• BOTTE, Vincenzo

Titel

A numerical study of the dynamics of the riverine thermal bar in a deep Lake

Ist Teil von

• Environmental fluid mechanics (Dordrecht, Netherlands : 2001), 2001-09, Vol.1 (3), p.311-332

Ort / Verlag

Dordrecht: Springer

Erscheinungsjahr

2001

Quelle

SpringerLINK Contemporary (Konsortium Baden-Württemberg)

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• A numerical model based on a Finite Volume formulation of the Navier-Stokes equations is used to simulate a range of scenarios leading to a thermal bar formed by a river inflow to an idealised deep lake. The results presented here show that small riverine salinity increases have a profound effect on the dynamics of the thermal bar, suppressing horizontal propagation of the plume and raising the possibility of a thermal bar which is capable of sinking to great depths. This finding is particularly relevant to Lake Baikal in Siberia, where the vigorous deep-water renewal is still not fully understood. An analysis of the buoyancy forces governing the depth of penetration of the thermal bar plume shows that realistic salinity gradients are an important factor in determining the circulation of Baikal waters. Observations of the saline curtailment of the thermal bar's horizontal propagation also reveal a potential for reduced productivity in the ecosystem of any temperate river delta during the Spring renewal period.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]