For a certain range of densities higher than that of seawater and sizes, the velocity of sinking particles
in a flow can be well approximated by the velocity of the fluid in which they are immersed,
plus a vertical settling constant accounting for the effect of gravity. Starting from a common initial
condition near the surface, a Lagrangian integration is performed using a realistic submesoscale
velocity field of the Algero-Balearic Basin. When the particles are deposited in virtual horizontal
layers at different depths, they exhibit non-homogeneous clustering. This Master’s Thesis provides
a mathematical characterization of these inhomogeneities using the correlation dimension
in strongly stratified (Summer) and weakly stratified (Winter) waters. The results show that, in
both seasons, the fractal dimension decreases with depth. With respect to settling velocity, in the
summer integration, the correlation dimension increases continuously, whereas in winter it exhibits
a non-monotonic dependence with a minimum. The dependence on settling time and periodic
boundary conditions is also analysed.
Master Thesis (TFM) by Alvaro Pallas
Supervisors. Cristobal Lopez and Emilio Hernandez-Garcia
Jury: Ismael Hernandez-Carrasco, Francesco Michele Ventrella, Cristobal Lopez
Detalles de contacto:
Emilio Hernández-García Contact form