On the Structure of Ocean Currents (II)

The Turbulent Fluctuations in a Tidal Current

Abstract

The component of turbulent velocity in the direction of the mean flow has been studied for the tidal current off Cape Kan'non. The periods of the turbulent fluctuations recorded varied from several seconds up to a few minutes and these fluctuations seem to be caused by turbulence. The ratio of mean amplitude of fluctuations to the mean current was greatest at the bottom and smallest at mid-depths. The calculated values of R(t), the auto-correlation coefficients, were seldom in accord with the theoretical result as 1-R(t)∝t^2/3.