Abstract
Observations of the semi-diurnal tidal current ellipses within the Rhine ROFI are reported. The vertical structure of these tidal ellipses are observed to be significantly different for stratified and well mixed conditions. With the onset of stratification, significant cross-shore components, reaching 40% of the magnitude of the along-shore components appear. These components are 180° out of phase from near surface to near-bottom with surface currents rotating anticyclonically, and bottom currents cyclonically. It is proposed that this phenomenon may be explained by a decoupling of the upper and lower portions of the water column during stratified periods due to reduced viscosity within the pycnocline. A two layer model is used to examine this hypothesis.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Oceanologica Acta |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Pages (from-to) | 369-381 |
| ISSN | 0399-1784 |
| Publication status | Published - 1994 |
| Externally published | Yes |