Relationship between Fine Layering of Stratified Water Environment and Vertical Turbulent Mass Transport

Results of a laboratory experiment performed to test the fundamental mechanism of fine-structure stratification of a stratified fluid during turbulent mixing are described and analyzed [14, 15]. A series of experiments were carried out with mixing of aquatic environment with initially linear vertical salinity gradient using oscillating vertical rods, inducing uniform turbulent effect throughout the entire thickness of the water layer. At the same time, in each experiment, regular measurements of electrical conductivity (salinity) profiles were carried out and calculations of the vertical salt flux (mass) were performed. Under the condition of sufficiently strong density (salinity) gradient, the mass flux is described by a decreasing function of the density gradient, and this is the main condition for the formation of the fine structure, according to the proposed mechanism. The experimental results confirmed its realism and feasibility. The dependence of the vertical scale of the fine structure on the parameters of stratification and turbulent influence has also been established.