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VERTICAL DIFFUSIVITY COEFFICIENT IN A THERMOCLINE
Author(s) -
Sweers H. E.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1970.15.2.0273
Subject(s) - thermocline , thermal diffusivity , eddy diffusion , geology , physics , mechanics , thermodynamics , oceanography , turbulence
Two equations are presented giving the vertical eddy diffusivity coefficient K z in the thermocline of a well‐stratified lake as a function of its lake mean rate of downward displacement and intensity. Both equations are derived by transforming the heat transport equation onto a quasi‐Lagrangian coordinate system, the origin of which moves down with the lake mean thermocline depth. Application of the equations to Lake Ontario yields summer mean values of K z in the thermocline of 0.02 to 0.07 cm 2 /sec. During an exceptionally quiet period in July and August 1967, K z approached the value of molecular diffusivity.