The dynamics of flows in density-stratified fluids has been and remains now an important topic for scientific enquiry. Such flows arise in many contexts, ranging from industrial settings to the oceanic and atmospheric environments. It is the latter topic which is the focus of this book. Both the ocean and atmosphere are characterised by the basic vertical density stratification, and this feature can affect the dynamics on all scales ranging from the micro-scale to the planetary scale. The aim of this book is to provide a “state-of-the-art” account of stratified flows as they are relevant to the ocean and atmosphere with a primary focus on meso-scale phenomena; that is, on phenomena whose time and space scales are such that the density stratification is a dominant effect, so that frictional and diffusive effects on the one hand and the effects of the earth’s rotation on the other hand can be regarded as of less importance. This in turn leads to an emphasis on internal waves.

This book covers the theory of stratified flows, from basic concepts to recent developments in environmental fluid mechanics. State-of-the-art numerical techniques suited for stratified flows are given, along with results of recent research in the areas of environmental stratified flows. The book offers a unified view of stratified turbulent flows, from small-scale mixing to large-scale environmental phenomena, including detailed discussion on interaction between turbulence and internal gravity waves.

Free Surface Flow: Environmental Fluid Mechanics introduces a wide range of environmental fluid flows, such as water waves, land runoff, channel flow, and effluent discharge. The book provides systematic analysis tools and basic skills for study fluid mechanics in natural and constructed environmental flows. As the prediction of changes in free surfaces in rivers, lakes, estuaries and in the ocean directly affects the design of structures that control surface waters, and because planning for the allocation of fresh-water resources in a sustainable manner is an essential goal, this book provides the necessary background and research. - Helps users determine the transfer of solute mass through the air-water interface - Presents tactics on the impact of free shear flow in the environment and how to quantify mixing mechanisms in turbulent jets and wakes - Gives users tactics to predict the fate and transport of contaminants in stratified lakes and estuaries

With an emphasis on both theory and experiment, this text describes the behaviour of homogeneous and density-stratified fluids over and around topography. In examining the similarities between the flow of a river over a barrier or weir and the flow of the atmosphere over a mountain range, this book presents a comprehensive synthesis of this topic in terms suitable for scientists, engineers, teachers and students of fluid dynamics. With this book, Professor Baines makes a notable contribution to the fields of fluid mechanics and geophysical fluid dynamics. The text will be a great asset to graduate and advanced undergraduate students, as well as to research professionals.

Environmental fluid mechanics (EFM) is the scientific study of transport, dispersion and transformation processes in natural fluid flows on our planet Earth, from the microscale to the planetary scale. This book brings together scientists and engineers working in research institutions, universities and academia, who engage in the study of theoretical, modeling, measuring and software aspects in environmental fluid mechanics. It provides a forum for the participants, and exchanges new ideas and expertise through the presentations of up-to-date and recent overall achievements in this field.

Buoyancy is one of the main forces driving flows on our planet, especially in the oceans and atmosphere. These flows range from buoyant coastal currents to dense overflows in the ocean, and from avalanches to volcanic pyroclastic flows on the Earth's surface. This book brings together contributions by leading world scientists to summarize our present theoretical, observational, experimental and modeling understanding of buoyancy-driven flows. Buoyancy-driven currents play a key role in the global ocean circulation and in climate variability through their impact on deep-water formation. Buoyancy-driven currents are also primarily responsible for the redistribution of fresh water throughout the world's oceans. This book is an invaluable resource for advanced students and researchers in oceanography, geophysical fluid dynamics, atmospheric science and the wider Earth sciences who need a state-of-the-art reference on buoyancy-driven flows.

Stratified flows are important in determining how various atmospheric and environmental processes occur. The book investigates these processes and focuses on the methods by which pollutants are mixed and dispersed in natural and industrial environments.

This book contains the written versions of invited lectures presented at the Gerhard H. Jirka Memorial Colloquium on Environmental Fluid Mechanics, held June 3-4, 2011, in Karlsruhe, Germany. Professor Jirka was widely known for his outstanding work in Environmental Fluid Mechanics, and 23 eminent world-leading experts in this field contributed to