How Our Oceans Move and Why We Care...

Benicat, Sabrina, Kijana, BellaCounselors: Maria and Aisha

Intro: Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

“Classical” engineering

Quantum Mechanics

Fluid Mechanics

Computational Fluid Dynamics

Study of classical engineering

Studying Newton’s Law

Physics-looks at particle movement

Air, water; study of any gas/ liquids

Solving equations of fluid mechanics on a computer

Ocean Modeling

Why do we need to understand how the Ocean Moves?

weather climatenatural disasters:

***we LOVE Earth***

hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes, sinkholes, droughts, heat, waves, wildfires, floods, blizzards, avalanches

Ocean Circulation- Stratification- Rotation of the Earth- Wind- Continental Boundaries These factors cause -Small Scale Ocean Phenomena-Medium Scale Ocean Phenomena-Large Scale Ocean Phenomena

Small Scale Phenomena- Micro-turbulence

-Gravity

-Tides

Observation Day

Density & StratificationDensity is a characteristic property of a substance

Density = mass / volumerho = m / v

Global Winds∗ Coriolis Force∗ Gulf Stream

Westerlies:∗ Lie between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere∗ Blows from west to east along the equator∗ Highly variable and unsteady winds∗ Part of hurricanes, tsunamis, monsoons, etc.Frequent changes to the weather:∗ Mid-latitude storms∗ Wintertime changes

Trade:∗Travels from east to west ∗ Lie on both sides of the equator which:∗ Gives out steady wind flow∗ Ocean waves are very steady around these areas∗ Sail and fishing boats depend on the airflow to get to nearby coastal areas safely

ThermohalineCirculation-Large Scale Ocean Phenomena -Deep and shallow currents create the well known "Great Ocean Conveyor Belt"-Regulates our climate-The movement of large quantities of water allow for the transportation of nutrients and heat -It is the overall circulation of the ocean, if it shuts down everything would collapse

The Experiment-Lab simulation of the differences in water temperature -The lab was conducted by placing ice packs on one end of the dish and placing a lamp on the on the other end.-The water had to stand for 20-30 minutes and then colored dye was added.-The warm water(red/equator) rose above the colder water(blue/North Pole)

Western Boundary CurrentsCauses1. Wind2. Rotation of the earth3. Continental boundaries

HypothesisThe Western Boundaries Currents (WBCs) need all the three factors to develop the circulation pattern observed by satellites.Methods-Set up laboratory scale experiment that mimic Western Boundary Currents-Set up computational experiments that mimic Western Boundary Currents

Lab ExperimentMaterials-Big plastic tank (continental boundaries)- Water (ocean)- Slope (spherical rotation)- Two little pillars- Fans (winds)- Red and blue dye- Turntable (rotation of earth)- Camera

Procedure-Set up the two little pillars-Put in the slope -Fill the tank with water-Adjust the fans (North and South side of the box) SP=West ;NP=East (to mimic the winds)-Set up the camera -Begin the counterclockwise rotation of the tank, like the Earth-Let it spin for 20-30 minutes-When ready, add the red & blue dyes (red = southwest & blue = northeast )

Trials

Trial A - All factors

Trial B - No wind (no fans)

Trial C - No spherical rotation (no slope)

Trial D - No rotation of Earth (no rotation of tank)

Observations

Computational Experiment :MATLABThe 5 Factors1. Local Changes2. Convection3. Coriolis 4. Wind5. Diffusion/ smoothing/ disappearing effect

Trials Case 1 = All TermsCase 2 = No ConvectionCase 3 = No CoriolisCase 4 = No WindCase 5 = No Diffusion

Experiment- Using a coding program MATLAB we were able to view different simulations on the computer

- Equations used in mechanical engineering are long and complex that they can easily be solved using a software such as MATLAB

- The equation we plugged in was the Barotropic Vorticity Equation

- Vorticity: a measure of how much the fluid spins

- We were able to make videos of how the western boundary currents look from satellites

Look at video

Why do we care?-Melting of ice caps slows thermohaline circulation causing extreme climate change

-The ocean’s temperature increase and sea level rise will cause severe hurricanes

Thank You

Professor Reckinger, REU Researchers, and Counselors