Abstract
We present observational results of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate using a microstructure profiler in Ariake Sea and discuss prospects of the investigation of turbulent mixing in coastal seas. In Ariake Sea, where buoyancy supplements compete with tidal mixing, stratification suppresses turbulence induced by seabed friction and generates turbulence at pycnocline through internal wave processes. The resultant vertical mixing can control barotropic tidal current structure. It is concluded that further investigation of turbulent mixing is needed to understand such complex interaction between stratification and currents.
