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Water motion relative to subtidal kelp fronds

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 02:04 authored by Stevens, CL, Catriona HurdCatriona Hurd, Smith, MJ
A study of water velocities near subtidal kelp fronds, relative to the motion of the kelp itself, is described. The dynamic model developed by Utter and Denny (1996) is used to develop a quantitative measure of the relative velocity vector, ur. The numerical model is extended through the addition of a current, use of a larger drag coefficient, and explicit consideration of ur. The model is tested by comparing it with microwave radar observations of a tethered float. The modeling of kelp frond motion uses parameters derived from current meter observations as input data. The results indicate that the relative velocity of seawater to the kelp frond is rarely zero and often is of comparable magnitude to the local Eulerian velocity of the water relative to the seabed. This has ramifications for modeling of both drag and boundary-layer transport processes. Use of a monochromatic wave field in the modeling in conjunction with examination of the results in the time domain suggests the magnitude of the current is very important in controlling motion at frequencies lower than the wave frequency.

History

Publication title

Limnology and Oceanography

Volume

46

Pagination

668-678

ISSN

0024-3590

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Amer Soc Limnology Oceanography

Place of publication

5400 Bosque Blvd, Ste 680, Waco, USA, Tx, 76710-4446

Rights statement

Copyright 2001 American Society of Limnology and Oceanography, Inc.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences

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