1. Penetrative Convection Modifies the Dynamics of Downslope Gravity Currents.
- Author
-
Doda, T., Ulloa, H. N., Ramón, C. L., Wüest, A., and Bouffard, D.
- Subjects
DENSITY currents ,RAYLEIGH number ,STRATIFIED flow ,FLUID dynamics ,HEATING - Abstract
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. Plain Language Summary: Horizontal differences in fluid density generate flows called gravity currents. These currents transport heat and mass across environmental systems. The dynamics of gravity current and the resulting transport are well understood when the surroundings are quiescent, which is rarely the case in nature. In aquatic systems, turbulent processes such as convection energize the ambient water. Cooling‐driven convection occurs when the surface of aquatic systems loses heat to the atmosphere, which generates sinking thermal plumes. In this paper, we used a lake experiencing differential cooling as an ideal field‐scale laboratory to investigate the effects of convection on the dynamics of gravity currents. Our in situ observations reveal that convective plumes distort the upper interface of gravity currents and limit the flow intensity. These results demonstrate that convection constrains the horizontal transport induced by gravity currents in natural systems. Key Points: Convective plumes penetrate downslope gravity currents and generate vertical interface fluctuationsVertical convective mixing erodes the stratified downslope flow and limits lateral transportThe time of maximal lateral transport is delayed to the relaxation phase once penetrative convection weakens [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF