Details of Award

NERC Reference : NE/C50747X/1

Stratified flow in jet-type estuaries and fjords.

Principal Investigator:: Dr V Vlasenko, University of Plymouth, Sch of Earth Ocean and Environment
Grant held at:: University of Plymouth, Sch of Earth Ocean and Environment

ENRIs:: Pollution and Waste; Natural Resource Management; Global Change; Environmental Risks and Hazards
Science Topics:: Water Quality; Survey & Monitoring; Hydrological Processes

Abstract:: Baroclinic tides in stratified estuaries and fjords have great implications for the efficiency of vertical water mixing, transport of pollutants and suspended matter. These effects, in tern, play a major role in primary biological productivity and water quality of the basins. The present study will examine a 'jet-type' fjordic system, when generated baroclinic disturbances are effectively arrested by strong tidal currents. Contradictory results obtained recently by different researchers in their attempts to describe jet-type estuaries and fjords give rise to a hard debate over the interpretation of observational data. This debate was a strong motivation for the present study. The proposal is aimed to fill the gap in understanding of physical processes through development of advanced numerical models and their application to Loch Etive (Scotland), for which unique observational data were collected by Scottish Association for Marine Science. The achievement of the basic goal will lead to an understanding the energy flow path from the barotropic tidal flux to internal waves, and then to shorter solitary waves and turbulence.

Authorised funds only

This grant award has a total value of £49,389

Total - Staff	Total - T&S	Total - Other Costs	Total - Indirect Costs
£27,797	£7,619	£1,185	£12,786

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