oceans currents
Post on 10-Apr-2017
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How Our Oceans Move and Why We Care...
Benicat, Sabrina, Kijana, BellaCounselors: Maria and Aisha
Intro: Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
“Classical” engineering
Quantum Mechanics
Fluid Mechanics
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Study of classical engineering
Studying Newton’s Law
Physics-looks at particle movement
Air, water; study of any gas/ liquids
Solving equations of fluid mechanics on a computer
Ocean Modeling
Why do we need to understand how the Ocean Moves?
weather climatenatural disasters:
***we LOVE Earth***
hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes, sinkholes, droughts, heat, waves, wildfires, floods, blizzards, avalanches
Ocean Circulation- Stratification- Rotation of the Earth- Wind- Continental Boundaries These factors cause -Small Scale Ocean Phenomena-Medium Scale Ocean Phenomena-Large Scale Ocean Phenomena
Small Scale Phenomena- Micro-turbulence
-Gravity
-Tides
Observation Day
Density & StratificationDensity is a characteristic property of a substance
Density = mass / volumerho = m / v
Global Winds∗ Coriolis Force∗ Gulf Stream
Westerlies:∗ Lie between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere∗ Blows from west to east along the equator∗ Highly variable and unsteady winds∗ Part of hurricanes, tsunamis, monsoons, etc.Frequent changes to the weather:∗ Mid-latitude storms∗ Wintertime changes
Trade:∗Travels from east to west ∗ Lie on both sides of the equator which:∗ Gives out steady wind flow∗ Ocean waves are very steady around these areas∗ Sail and fishing boats depend on the airflow to get to nearby coastal areas safely
ThermohalineCirculation-Large Scale Ocean Phenomena -Deep and shallow currents create the well known "Great Ocean Conveyor Belt"-Regulates our climate-The movement of large quantities of water allow for the transportation of nutrients and heat -It is the overall circulation of the ocean, if it shuts down everything would collapse
The Experiment-Lab simulation of the differences in water temperature -The lab was conducted by placing ice packs on one end of the dish and placing a lamp on the on the other end.-The water had to stand for 20-30 minutes and then colored dye was added.-The warm water(red/equator) rose above the colder water(blue/North Pole)
Western Boundary CurrentsCauses1. Wind2. Rotation of the earth3. Continental boundaries
HypothesisThe Western Boundaries Currents (WBCs) need all the three factors to develop the circulation pattern observed by satellites.Methods-Set up laboratory scale experiment that mimic Western Boundary Currents-Set up computational experiments that mimic Western Boundary Currents
Lab ExperimentMaterials-Big plastic tank (continental boundaries)- Water (ocean)- Slope (spherical rotation)- Two little pillars- Fans (winds)- Red and blue dye- Turntable (rotation of earth)- Camera
Procedure-Set up the two little pillars-Put in the slope -Fill the tank with water-Adjust the fans (North and South side of the box) SP=West ;NP=East (to mimic the winds)-Set up the camera -Begin the counterclockwise rotation of the tank, like the Earth-Let it spin for 20-30 minutes-When ready, add the red & blue dyes (red = southwest & blue = northeast )
Trials
Trial A - All factors
Trial B - No wind (no fans)
Trial C - No spherical rotation (no slope)
Trial D - No rotation of Earth (no rotation of tank)
Observations
Computational Experiment :MATLABThe 5 Factors1. Local Changes2. Convection3. Coriolis 4. Wind5. Diffusion/ smoothing/ disappearing effect
Trials Case 1 = All TermsCase 2 = No ConvectionCase 3 = No CoriolisCase 4 = No WindCase 5 = No Diffusion
Experiment- Using a coding program MATLAB we were able to view different simulations on the computer
- Equations used in mechanical engineering are long and complex that they can easily be solved using a software such as MATLAB
- The equation we plugged in was the Barotropic Vorticity Equation
- Vorticity: a measure of how much the fluid spins
- We were able to make videos of how the western boundary currents look from satellites
Look at video
Why do we care?-Melting of ice caps slows thermohaline circulation causing extreme climate change
-The ocean’s temperature increase and sea level rise will cause severe hurricanes
Thank You
Professor Reckinger, REU Researchers, and Counselors
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