Velocity Distribution in Arrested Saline Wedges

Abstract

The velocity distribution laws of arrested saline wedges have been experimentally studied in a tilting flume 20.24 m long, 45.72 cm wide, and 45.72 cm deep. These laws were investigated together with the interfacial and bed shear stresses through the utilization of a specially designed electronic conductivity meter for the measurement of the salinity, and hot film anemometer for the measurement of the detailed velocity distribution and the Reynolds stresses. In the immediate neighborhood of the velocity interface, and in a zone of some millimeters width, the velocity distribution is linear. This linear law appears tocbe independent of salinity. Outside the linear zone the velocity distribution is logarithmic. In particular, the logarithmic laws of the interface and of the outer region are defined for the two layers. These laws are analogous to the wall law and the law of the outer region for homogeneous fluids flow over solid boundaries.