Atmospheric cooling of freshwater near the temperature of maximum density

2024/05/01 by Jason Olsthoorn, Olsthoorn, Jason · 1 citation
Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Aquatic and Environmental Studies #Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics (physics.ao-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Fluid Dynamics (physics.flu-dyn)

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2405.03700

openalex publication_date 2024/05/01 · openalex created_date 2024/05/11 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

We perform three-dimensional direct numerical simulations of surface-driven convection near the temperature of maximum density T_md. A dynamic surface boundary condition couples heat flux through the surface to the induced convection, creating a dynamic equilibrium between the surface water temperature and the convection below. In this system, we identified three convective regimes: (1) free convection when the surface water temperature is above T_md, (2) penetrative convection when the surface water temperature is below T_md and the convection is actively mixing the fluid layer, and (3) decaying convection when the convection weakens. We then predict the transitions between these regimes. Understanding these transitions is essential for the predicting timing of ice formation in natural systems.

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