Towards the salinity profile influence on an internal wave attractor formation (Q6593236)

The article studies wave attractors in ocean dynamics, that is the phenomenon of focusing of internal/inertial wave rays and amplitude growth of fluid motion on a certain curve, due to the presence of a periodic external force, a sloping side boundary and density stratification.\N\NThe article numerically investigates the influence of density stratification on internal wave features, by comparing the outcomes of three density profiles: linear, exponential with a top mixed layer, and including a halocline.\N\NThe equation solved is the inhomogeneous Navier-Stokes equation with gravity force, density diffusivity and Boussinesq approximation. A sinusoid external forcing prescribes the velocity at the top of the trapezoid wave tank.\N\NThe existence of an attractor in suitable ranges of the forcing frequency is obtained by the ray-tracing procedure. Features of the attractors are then investigated through direct numerical simulations.\N\NAs pointed out in the conclusion, it is found that changing the density stratification ``affected the shape and energy accumulation of the attractor, but preserved its spectral characteristics and evolution''.