Penetrative Convection Modifies the Dynamics of Downslope Gravity Currents
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Wiley
Date
2023-01-17Referencia bibliográfica
Doda, T... [et al.] (2023). Penetrative convection modifies the dynamics of downslope gravity currents. Geophysical Research Letters, 50, e2022GL100633. [https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL100633]
Sponsorship
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) 175919Abstract
Gravity currents contribute to the transport of heat and mass in atmospheric and aquatic
environments. In aquatic systems subject to daily surface cooling, gravity currents propagate through turbulent
convective surroundings. Yet, the effects of thermal convection on aquatic gravity currents remain to be
quantified. This paper demonstrates how the interaction between penetrative convection and downslope
gravity currents impacts the fluid dynamics and transport across littoral aquatic systems. We performed field
experiments in a wind-sheltered lake experiencing differential cooling to resolve the dynamics of thermally
driven gravity currents in convective environments. Our in situ observations reveal that convective plumes
penetrate gravity currents, generating large vertical fluctuations that foster the erosion of the stratified layer.
This enhanced vertical mixing destroys the stratified downslope flow and limits the basin-scale transport. Our
results demonstrate that the interaction between penetrative convection and downslope gravity currents controls
the littoral-pelagic connectivity in aquatic ecosystems.