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in this research we investigate the role of normal modes of internal waves in generation of layered structure in a part of Persian Gulf where river plume inters, and in some laboratory experiments.
The model prediction and observations show that layers so formed have a thickness of about 2m based on salinity variations with depth, but layers (about 5m) based on horizontal velocity profiles.
Laboratory experiments with a plume outflow in a “filling box” profile also generate normal mode layered structure with µ/H= 0.5where µ is layer thickness and H is the plume depth. In these experiments the Re of the flow is smaller than the Re of field flow; hence, the normal modes are substantially dissipated with depth.
The comparison between the field study and the experimental observation shows that the two are, within the experimental limitations, in agreement.
It should be emphasized that field observation is for semi-enclosed seas but the laboratory experiments are for enclosed region. Hence some of the discrepancies in the results of two cases are inevitable.