The effect of non-zero, but small, viscosity and diffusivity on the marginal stability
of a stably stratified shear flow is examined by making perturbations around the
neutral solution for an inviscid and non-diffusive flow. The results apply to turbulent
flows in which horizontal and vertical turbulent transports of momentum and...
The Taylor–Goldstein (T–G) equation is extended to include the effects of small-scale
turbulence represented by non-uniform vertical and horizontal eddy viscosity and
diffusion coefficients. The vertical coefficients of viscosity and diffusion, A[subscript V] and K[subscript V],
respectively, are assumed to be equal and are expressed in terms of the buoyancy...
A new theory of shear instability in a turbulent environment is applied to eight days of velocity and density profiles from the upper-equatorial Pacific. This period featured a regular diurnal cycle of surface forcing, together with a clear response in upper-ocean mixing. During the day, a layer of stable stratification...