Turbulence time scales in mixing box experiments

Abstract.

Laboratory experiments are performed to examine eddy time scales in turbulence generated by an oscillating grid in homogeneous fluid using tanks with varying depth and fixed high aspect ratio horizontal cross-section. For high ratios of depth to width, a mean circulation develops in the form of a pair of counter-rotating vortices. In a new technique, pearlescent dye is employed to measure eddy time scales and to determine their power law scaling dependence on the distance from the oscillating grid. Two scaling regimes are observed, one near the source of turbulence and one at intermediate depths. At intermediate depths, the scaling exponent is found to increase if the total fluid depth is larger. We discuss the significance of these results on the use of the law-of-the-wall scaling in the upper oceanic mixed layer.