Gravity current intrusion

The term gravity current intrusion denotes the fluid mechanics phenomenon within which a fluid intrudes with a predominantly horizontal motion into a separate stratified fluid, typically along a plane of neutral buoyancy. This behaviour distinguishes the difference between gravity current intrusions and gravity currents, as intrusions are not restrained by a well-defined boundary surface.[1] As with gravity currents, intrusion flow is driven within a gravity field by density differences typically small enough to allow for the Boussinesq approximation.

The driving density difference between fluids that produces intrusion motion could simply be due to chemical composition. However variations can also be caused by differences in respective fluid temperatures, dissolved matter concentrations and by particulate matter suspended in flows.[2] Examples of particulate suspension intrusions include sediment laden river outflows within oceans, 'short-circuit' sewage sedimentation tank intrusions[3] and turbidity current flows over hypersaline Mediterranean pools.[4] Examples also exist of particulate intrusions caused by the lateral spread of thermals or plumes along planes of neutral buoyancy; such as intrusions containing metalliferous sediments formed from deep ocean hydrothermal vents.[5] Or equally crystal laden intrusions formed by plumes within volcanic magma chambers.[6] Arguably the most striking of all gravitational intrusions, is the atmospheric gravity current generated from a large, 'Plinean' volcanic eruption. In which case the volcano's overhanging 'umbrella' is an example of an intrusion laterally intruding into the stratified Troposphere.

  1. ^ Simpson, J E (1997). Gravity Currents. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  2. ^ Monaghan, J.J (2007). "Gravity Current Interaction with Interfaces". Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics. 39 (1): 245–61. Bibcode:2007AnRFM..39..245M. doi:10.1146/annurev.fluid.39.050905.110218.
  3. ^ Rooij, F.D.; Linden, P.F.; Daziel, S.B. (1999). "aline and particle-driven interfacial intrusions". Journal of Fluid Mechanics. 389 (1): 303–334. Bibcode:1999JFM...389..303D. doi:10.1017/S0022112099005078. S2CID 122810311.
  4. ^ Rimoldi, B; Alexander, J.; Morris, S (1996). "Experimental turbidity currents entering density-stratified water: analogues for turbidites in Mediterranean hypersaline basins". Sedimentology. 43 (3): 527–540. Bibcode:1996Sedim..43..527R. doi:10.1046/j.1365-3091.1996.d01-21.x.
  5. ^ Tivey, J.E.; Delaney, J. R.; Johnson, H. P.; Tivey, M. K. (1985). "Entrainment and vertical transport of deep-ocean water by buoyant hydrothermal plumes". Nature. 316 (6029): 621–625. Bibcode:1985Natur.316..621L. doi:10.1038/316621a0. S2CID 4262463.
  6. ^ Carey, S.N.; Sigurdsson, H.; Sparks, R. S. R (1998). "Experimental studies of particulate-laden plumes". Journal of Geophysical Research. 93 (B12): 314–349. Bibcode:1988JGR....9315314C. doi:10.1029/jb093ib12p15314.