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contributor authorThorpe, S. A.
date accessioned2017-06-09T14:50:16Z
date available2017-06-09T14:50:16Z
date copyright1992/04/01
date issued1992
identifier issn0022-3670
identifier otherams-27873.pdf
identifier urihttp://onlinelibrary.yabesh.ir/handle/yetl/4164926
description abstractThe presence and pattern of Langmuir circulation can be detected using side-scan sonar. The circulation creates bands of subsurface bubbles, scatterers of high-frequency sound, in the downwelling region beneath the surface convergence. The bands are clearly visible in sonographs. A common process of development is for them to join in pairs. The stability of the circulation pattern is examined, making a number of simplifying assumptions. In particular, we represent the Langmuir cells as linear vortices. These are subjected to small disturbances. When these are restricted to two-dimensional motions normal to the axes of the vortices, stable modes are found in part of the parameter range in which the windrow separation is large in comparison to an appropriate depth scale, such as the depth of the vortex core in a very deep mixed layer or the depth of the thermocline or lake when this is finite. These modes are destabilized to collective instabilities when three-dimensional motions are permitted. The dominant mode of instability in the parameter range in which Langmuir circulation is mostly found is, however, a pairing mode (consistent with the sonar observations), having an axial wavelength similar to the observed downwind extent of windrows. The growth rates of the instability agree favorably with those expected from observations. Further study is appropriate in view of the possible importance of this instability as a mechanism for dispersion of floating material or diffusion of soluble matter in the sea.
publisherAmerican Meteorological Society
titleThe Breakup of Langmuir Circulation and the Instability of an Array of Vortices
typeJournal Paper
journal volume22
journal issue4
journal titleJournal of Physical Oceanography
identifier doi10.1175/1520-0485(1992)022<0350:TBOLCA>2.0.CO;2
journal fristpage350
journal lastpage360
treeJournal of Physical Oceanography:;1992:;Volume( 022 ):;issue: 004
contenttypeFulltext


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