On Nonlinear Baroclinic Waves and Adjustment of Pancake Dynamics

Three-dimensional nonhydrostatic Euler–Boussinesq equations are studied for Bu=O(1) flows as well as in the asymptotic regime of strong stratification and weak rotation. Reduced prognostic equations for ageostrophic components (divergent velocity potential and geostrophic departure/thermal wind imbalance) are analyzed. We describe classes of nonlinear anisotropic ageostrophic baroclinic waves which are generated by the strong nonlinear interactions between the quasi-geostrophic modes and inertio-gravity waves. In the asymptotic regime of strong stratification and weak rotation we show how switching on weak rotation triggers frontogenesis. The mechanism of the front formation is contraction in the horizontal dimension balanced by vertical shearing through coupling of large horizontal and small vertical scales by weak rotation. Vertical slanting of these fronts is proportional to μ^−1/2 where μ is the ratio of the Coriolis and Brunt–V?is?l? parameters. These fronts select slow baroclinic waves through nonlinear adjustment of the horizontal scale to the vertical scale by weak rotation, and are the envelope of inertio-gravity waves. Mathematically, this is generated by asymptotic hyperbolic systems describing the strong nonlinear interactions between waves and potential vorticity dynamics. This frontogenesis yields vertical “gluing” of pancake dynamics, in contrast to the independent dynamics of horizontal layers in strongly stratified turbulence without rotation. Received 8 April 1997 and accepted 29 March 1998     

Instability of an Axisymmetric Vortex in a Stably Stratified, Rotating Environment

We investigate the stability of a barotropic vorticity monopole whose stream function is a Gaussian function of the radial coordinate. The model is based on the inviscid Boussinesq equations. The vortex is assumed to exist on an $f$-plane, in an environment with constant, stable density stratification. In the unstratified, nonrotating case, we find growth rates that increase monotonically with increasing vertical wave number, the so-called “ultraviolet catastrophe” characteristic of symmetric instability. This type of instability leads to rapid turbulent collapse of the vortex, possibly accompanied by wave radiation. In the limit of strong background stratification and rotation, the vortex exhibits a scale-selective instability which leads to the formation of stable lenses. The transition between these two regimes is sharp, and coincides approximately with the centrifugal stability boundary. Received 6 December 1996 and accepted 1 November 1997     

A New Class of Equations for Rotationally Constrained Flows

The incompressible Navier–Stokes equation is considered in the limit of rapid rotation (small Ekman number). The analysis is limited to horizontal scales small enough so that both horizontal and vertical velocities are comparable, but the horizontal velocity components are still in geostrophic balance. Asymptotic analysis leads to a pair of nonlinear equations for the vertical velocity and vertical vorticity coupled by vertical stretching. Statistically stationary states are maintained against viscous dissipation by boundary forcing or energy injection at larger scales. For thermal forcing direct numerical simulation of the reduced equations reveals the presence of intense vortical structures spanning the layer depth, in excellent agreement with simulations of the Boussinesq equations for rotating convection by Julien et al. (1996). Received 30 May 1997 and accepted 4 January 1998     

Derivation of the Planetary Geostrophic Equations

In this paper, we justify mathematically the derivation of the planetary geostrophic equations (PGE) from the hydrostatic Boussinesq equations with Coriolis force, usually named the primitive equations (PE). The planetary geostrophic equations, which are a classical model of thermohaline circulation, are obtained from the primitive equations as the Froude number Fr, the Rossby number , and the Burger number Bu go to 0. These numbers are supposed to satisfy and which is relevant to the thermohaline planetary dynamics. The analysis performed here does not follow the same lines as previous asymptotic studies on rotating fluids. It involves a singular operator which is not skew symmetric, and prevents classical energy estimates. To handle such operator requires to put the primitive equations under normal form, together with an appropriate use of the viscous terms.     

Vortex structures in geophysical convection

An intriguing variety of vortex structures arise during buoyant convection, especially in the presence of background stratification and rotation. These vortices play an important role in environmental fluid motions, bearing upon small-scale turbulence to planetary-scale circulation. A brief review of vortex motions associated with buoyant convection is presented in this paper, emphasizing the sources of vorticity, evolution of vortex structures and their role in oceanic and atmospheric dynamics. The genesis of a variety of vortices, for example, mushroom vortices, geostrophic and ageostrophic vortices, dipolar structures and hetons in buoyant convection flows is described, and parameterizations to represent their properties are discussed. New laboratory and numerical simulation results on vortex-related phenomena in stratified and rotating fluids and their implications in geophysical convective flows are also presented.     

Large-scale vortical structure,supported by small-scale turbulent motions. Helicity as a cause for inverse energy cascade

In this article we demonstrate that turbulent stress contributions which depend on the rotation of the frame of reference (and therefore are system dependent) give rise to the inverse energy cascade, and thus introduce an ordering in the structure of turbulence.We first demonstrate that a non-rotating Boussinesq fluid subject to an artificial force that is not invariant under parity changes of the orthogonal group has a destabilizing effect in the B'enard problem. This destabilization is due to helicity and the stability regimes are divided into two regions: (1) If the helicitys is below a threshold values ^*, then long and very short wavelength disturbances at Rayleigh numbers Ra > Ra^crit are stable whereas those with intermediate wavelengths are unstable. (2) If the helicitys >s _* then all disturbances are unstable.For a rotating turbulent Boussinesq fluid we derive the most simple rotation dependent expression for the stress divergence and demonstrate that it leads quantitatively to a similar helicity dependent force. In the B6nard problem it gives rise to an analogous division of the stability/instability regime as obtained for non-rotating fluids subject to the artificial helicity dependent force.     

A Numerical Study of an Operator Splitting Method for Rotating Flows with Large Ageostrophic Initial Data

We propose an operator splitting method which is especially suitable for long-time integration of geophysical equations characterized by the presence of multiple-time scales and weak-operator splitting. The method is illustrated on the classical rotating shallow-water equations on a periodic domain with large ageostrophic (unprepared) initial data. The asymptotic splitting decomposes the solution into a first part which solves the quasigeostrophic equation; a second one which is the “slow” ageostrophic component of the flow; and a corrector. The particular decomposition we use ensures that the corrector is small for large rotation. By considering only the “slow” ageostrophic and quasigeostrophic components a numerical approximation to the shallow-water equations is derived that effectively removes the time-step restrictions caused by the presence of fast waves. The splitting is exact in the asymptotic limit of large rotation and includes the nonlinearity of the equations. Numerical examples are included. These examples demonstrate a significant reduction in the computational cost over direct numerical approximations of the shallow-water equations. We conclude with an outline of a general operator splitting method for more general primitive geophysical equations. Received 1 July 1998 and accepted 1 December 1998     

Linear theory of the propagation of internal wave beams in an arbitrarily stratified liquid

Beams of harmonic internal waves in a liquid with smoothly changing stratification are calculated in the Boussinesq approximation taking into account the effects of diffusion and viscosity. A procedure of local reduction of the beam in a medium with an arbitrary smooth stratification to the case of an exponentially stratified liquid is constructed. The coefficient of energy losses in the case of beam reflection on the critical level is calculated. Parameters of internal boundary flows with split scales of velocity and density that are formed by a wave beam on discontinuities of the buoyancy frequency and its higher derivatives are determined. Institute of Problems of Mechanics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117526. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 39, No. 5, pp. 88–98, September–October, 1998.     

Joseph Boussinesq and his approximation: a contemporary view

A hundred years ago, in his 1903 volume II of the monograph devoted to ‘Théorie Analytique de la Chaleur’, Joseph Valentin Boussinesq observes that: “The variations of density can be ignored except were they are multiplied by the acceleration of gravity in equation of motion for the vertical component of the velocity vector.” A spectacular consequence of this Boussinesq observation (called, in 1916, by Rayleigh, the ‘Boussinesq approximation’) is the possibility to work with a quasi-incompressible system of coupled dynamic, (Navier) and thermal (Fourier) equations where buoyancy is the main driving force. After a few words on the life of Boussinesq and on his observation, the applicability of this approximation is briefly discussed for various thermal, geophysical, astrophysical and magnetohydrodynamic problems in the framework of ‘Boussinesquian fluid dynamics’. An important part of our contemporary view is devoted to a logical (100 years later) justification of this Boussinesq approximation for a perfect gas and an ideal liquid in the framework of an asymptotic modelling of the full fluid dynamics (Euler and Navier–Stokes–Fourier) equations with especially careful attention given to the validity of this approximation. To cite this article: R.Kh. Zeytounian, C. R. Mecanique 331 (2003).     

Experimental study of stratified jet by simultaneous measurements of velocity and density fields

Stratified flows with small density difference commonly exist in geophysical and engineering applications, which often involve interaction of turbulence and buoyancy effect. A combined particle image velocimetry (PIV) and planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) system is developed to measure the velocity and density fields in a dense jet discharged horizontally into a tank filled with light fluid. The illumination of PIV particles and excitation of PLIF dye are achieved by a dual-head pulsed Nd:YAG laser and two CCD cameras with a set of optical filters. The procedure for matching refractive indexes of two fluids and calibration of the combined system are presented, as well as a quantitative analysis of the measurement uncertainties. The flow structures and mixing dynamics within the central vertical plane are studied by examining the averaged parameters, turbulent kinetic energy budget, and modeling of momentum flux and buoyancy flux. At downstream, profiles of velocity and density display strong asymmetry with respect to its center. This is attributed to the fact that stable stratification reduces mixing and unstable stratification enhances mixing. In stable stratification region, most of turbulence production is consumed by mean-flow convection, whereas in unstable stratification region, turbulence production is nearly balanced by viscous dissipation. Experimental data also indicate that at downstream locations, mixing length model performs better in mixing zone of stable stratification regions, whereas in other regions, eddy viscosity/diffusivity models with static model coefficients represent effectively momentum and buoyancy flux terms. The measured turbulent Prandtl number displays strong spatial variation in the stratified jet.     

Nonlinear gravity-wave interactions in stratified turbulence

To investigate the dynamics of gravity waves in stratified Boussinesq flows, a model is derived that consists of all three-gravity-wave-mode interactions (the GGG model), excluding interactions involving the vortical mode. The GGG model is a natural extension of weak turbulence theory that accounts for exact three-gravity-wave resonances. The model is examined numerically by means of random, large-scale, high-frequency forcing. An immediate observation is a robust growth of the so-called vertically sheared horizontal flow (VSHF). In addition, there is a forward transfer of energy and equilibration of the nonzero-frequency (sometimes called “fast”) gravity-wave modes. These results show that gravity-wave-mode interactions by themselves are capable of systematic interscale energy transfer in a stratified fluid. Comparing numerical simulations of the GGG model and the full Boussinesq system, for the range of Froude numbers (Fr) considered (0.05 ≤ Fr ≤ 1), in both systems the VSHF is hardest to resolve. When adequately resolved, VSHF growth is more vigorous in the GGG model. Furthermore, a VSHF is observed to form in milder stratification scenarios in the GGG model than the full Boussinesq system. Finally, fully three-dimensional nonzero-frequency gravity-wave modes equilibrate in both systems and their scaling with vertical wavenumber follows similar power-laws. The slopes of the power-laws obtained depend on Fr and approach ?2 (from above) at Fr = 0.05, which is the strongest stratification that can be properly resolved with our computational resources.     

Onset of Buoyancy-Driven Convection in a Liquid-Saturated Cylindrical Anisotropic Porous Layer Supported by a Gas Phase

A theoretical analysis of convective instability driven by buoyancy forces under the transient concentration fields is conducted in an initially quiescent, liquid-saturated, and anisotropic cylindrical porous layer supported by a gas phase. Darcy’s law and Boussinesq approximation are used to explain the characteristics of fluid motion, and linear stability theory is employed to predict the onset of buoyancy-driven motion. Under the quasi-steady-state approximation, the stability equations are derived in a similar boundary layer coordinate and solved by the numerical shooting method. The critical $Ra_D$ is determined as a function of the anisotropy ratio. Also, the onset time and corresponding wavelength are obtained for the various anisotropic ratios. The onset time becomes smaller with increasing $Ra_D$ and follows the asymptotic relation derived in the infinite horizontal porous layer. Anisotropy effect makes the system more stable by suppressing the vertical velocity.     

Asymptotics for moist deep convection I: refined scalings and self-sustaining updrafts

Moist processes are among the most important drivers of atmospheric dynamics, and scale analysis and asymptotics are cornerstones of theoretical meteorology. Accounting for moist processes in systematic scale analyses therefore seems of considerable importance for the field. Klein and Majda (Theor Comput Fluid Dyn 20:525–551, 2006) proposed a scaling regime for the incorporation of moist bulk microphysics closures in multiscale asymptotic analyses of tropical deep convection. This regime is refined here to allow for mixtures of ideal gases and to establish consistency with a more general multiple scales modeling framework for atmospheric flows. Deep narrow updrafts, the so-called hot towers, constitute principal building blocks of larger scale storm systems. They are analyzed here in a sample application of the new scaling regime. A single quasi-one-dimensional upright columnar cloud is considered on the vertical advective (or tower life cycle) time scale. The refined asymptotic scaling regime is essential for this example as it reveals a new mechanism for the self-sustainance of such updrafts. Even for strongly positive convectively available potential energy, a vertical balance of buoyancy forces is found in the presence of precipitation. This balance induces a diagnostic equation for the vertical velocity, and it is responsible for the generation of self-sustained balanced updrafts. The time-dependent updraft structure is encoded in a Hamilton–Jacobi equation for the precipitation mixing ratio. Numerical solutions of this equation suggest that the self-sustained updrafts may strongly enhance hot tower life cycles.     

A systematic derivation of a consistent set of “Boussinesq equations”

The often used “Boussinesq equations” for the determination of the coupled flow and temperature field in natural convection are systematically deduced by an asymptotic approach. With the nondimensional temperature difference that drives the flow, ?, as a perturbation parameter the leading order equations are identified as the appropriate equations, named “asymptotic Boussinesq equations”. These equations appear as the distinguished limit $\varepsilon\rightarrow0The often used “Boussinesq equations” for the determination of the coupled flow and temperature field in natural convection are systematically deduced by an asymptotic approach. With the nondimensional temperature difference that drives the flow, ɛ, as a perturbation parameter the leading order equations are identified as the appropriate equations, named “asymptotic Boussinesq equations”. These equations appear as the distinguished limit e?0\varepsilon\rightarrow0 and Ec? 0{Ec}\rightarrow 0 with Ec/e = const.{Ec}/\varepsilon =const. The equations are compared to “Boussinesq equations” of other studies and used to calculate Nusselt numbers in laminar and turbulent flows in infinite vertical channels as an example and for the justification of the asymptotic approach.     

Flow past a sphere in density-stratified fluid

Stratified flow past a three-dimensional obstacle such as a sphere has been a long-lasting subject of geophysical, environmental and engineering fluid dynamics. In order to investigate the effect of the stratification on the near wake, in particular, the unsteady vortex formation behind a sphere, numerical simulations of stratified flows past a sphere are conducted. The time-dependent Navier–Stokes equations are solved using a three-dimensional finite element method and a modified explicit time integration scheme. Laminar flow regime is considered, and linear stratification of density is assumed under Boussinesq approximation. The effects of stratification is implemented by density transport without diffusion. The computed results include the characteristics of the near wake as well as the effects of stratification on the separation angle. Under increased stratification, the separation on the sphere is suppressed and the wake structure behind the sphere becomes planar, resembling that behind a vertical cylinder. With further increase in stratification, the wake becomes unsteady, and consists of planar vortex shedding similar to von Karman vortex streets.     

Direct numerical simulation of homogeneous stratified rotating turbulence

The effects of the Prandtl number on stratified rotating turbulence have been studied in homogeneous turbulence by using direct numerical simulations and a rapid distortion theory. Fluctuations under strong stable-density stratification can be theoretically divided into the WAVE and the potential vorticity (PV) modes. In low-Prandtl-number fluids, the WAVE mode deteriorates, while the PV mode remains. Imposing rotation on a low-Prandtl-number fluid makes turbulence two-dimensional as well as geostrophic; it is found from the instantaneous turbulent structure that the vortices merge to form a few vertically-elongated vortex columns. During the period toward two-dimensionalization, the vertical vortices become asymmetric in the sense of rotation. Communicated by S. Obi PACS 47.55.Hd     

Transition to Chaos and Flow Dynamics of Thermochemical Porous Medium Convection

In a fluid-saturated porous medium, dissolved species advect at the pore velocity, while thermal retardation causes heat to move at the Darcy velocity. The Darcy model with the Boussinesq approximation in a square medium with a porosity of = 0.01 subject to two sources of buoyancy is used, to study numerically the dynamics of this so-called double-advective instability. The vertical walls of the medium are impermeable and adiabatic, while Dirichlet boundary conditions are imposed on the horizontal walls such that the medium is heated and salted from below. For an increasing ratio between chemical and thermal buoyancy, while keeping the thermal buoyancy fixed, a transition from a steady to a chaotic convective solution is observed. At the transition a stable limit cycle is found, suggesting that the transition takes the form of a Hopf bifurcation. The dynamics of the chaotic flow is characterized by irregular transitions between nonlayered and layered flow patterns, as a result of the spontaneous formation and disappearance of gravitationally stable interfaces. These interfaces temporarily divide the domain in layers of distinct solute concentration and lead to a significant reduction of kinetic energy and vertical heat and solute fluxes. The stability of an interface is described by a balance between the viscous drag forces in the convective layers and the buoyancy force associated with the density interface.     

An Analysis of Turbulent Motions In and Around a Differentially Forced Density Interface

The Rapid-Distortion-Theory-based analysis proposed by Fernando and Hunt [1] is extended to study the nature of turbulence in and around a density interface sandwiched between turbulent layers with dissimilar properties. It is shown that interfacial motions consist of low-frequency, resonantly excited, nonlinear internal waves and high-frequency, linear internal waves driven by background turbulence. Based on the assumptions that (i) all resonant waves and some nonresonant waves having frequencies close to the resonant frequencies grow rapidly, break, and cause interfacial mixing, (ii) the spectral amplitude of the vertical velocity in the wave-breaking regime is constant, and (iii) kinetic energy is equipartitioned between linear and nonlinear breaking wave regimes, the r.m.s. vertical velocity at the interface and the turbulent kinetic energy flux into the interface are calculated. The migration velocity of the interface is calculated using the additional assumption that the buoyancy flux into a given turbulent layer is a fixed fraction of the turbulent kinetic energy flux supplied to the interface by the same layer. The calculations are found to be in good agreement with the entrainment data obtained in previous laboratory experiments in the parameter regime where the interface is dominated by internal wave dynamics. Received 23 July 1997 and accepted 8 January 1999