Space–time dynamics of optimal wavepackets for streaks in a channel entrance flow

The laminar–turbulent transition of a plane channel entrance flow is revisited using global linear optimization analyses and direct numerical simulations. The investigated case corresponds to uniform upstream velocity conditions and a moderate value of Reynolds number so that the two-dimensional developing flow is linearly stable under the parallel flow assumption. However, the boundary layers in the entry zone are capable of supporting the development of streaks, which may experience secondary instability and evolve to turbulence. In this study, global optimal linear perturbations are computed and studied in the nonlinear regime for different values of streak amplitude and optimization time. These optimal perturbations take the form of wavepackets having either varicose or sinuous symmetry. It is shown that, for short optimization times, varicose wavepackets grow through a combination of Orr and lift-up effects, whereas for longer target times, both sinuous and varicose wavepackets exhibit an instability mechanism driven by the presence of inflection points in the streaky flow. In addition, while the optimal varicose modes obtained for short optimization times are localized near the inlet, where the base flow is strongly three-dimensional, when the target time is increased, the sinuous and varicose optimal modes are displaced farther downstream, in the nearly parallel streaky flow. Finally, the optimal wavepackets are found to lead to turbulence for sufficiently high initial amplitudes. It is noticed that the resulting turbulent flows have the same wall-shear stress, whether the wavepackets have been obtained for short or for long time optimization

Accommodating Dynamic Oceanographic Processes and Pelagic Biodiversity in Marine Conservation Planning

Pelagic ecosystems support a significant and vital component of the ocean's productivity and biodiversity. They are also heavily exploited and, as a result, are the focus of numerous spatial planning initiatives. Over the past decade, there has been increasing enthusiasm for protected areas as a tool for pelagic conservation, however, few have been implemented. Here we demonstrate an approach to plan protected areas that address the physical and biological dynamics typical of the pelagic realm. Specifically, we provide an example of an approach to planning protected areas that integrates pelagic and benthic conservation in the southern Benguela and Agulhas Bank ecosystems off South Africa. Our aim was to represent species of importance to fisheries and species of conservation concern within protected areas. In addition to representation, we ensured that protected areas were designed to consider pelagic dynamics, characterized from time-series data on key oceanographic processes, together with data on the abundance of small pelagic fishes. We found that, to have the highest likelihood of reaching conservation targets, protected area selection should be based on time-specific data rather than data averaged across time. More generally, we argue that innovative methods are needed to conserve ephemeral and dynamic pelagic biodiversity

Instability inside a rotating gas cylinder subject to axial periodic strain

pp. 1-13International audienceWe study numerically the instability of a confined rotating gas flow subject to periodic strain along the axis of rotation, under the low Mach number approximation. An axisymmetric time-stepping spectral Galerkin-type code is used to investigate the viscous basic flow and its stability. Parametric resonance can lead to instability of this flow via the growth of inertial modes coupled by the oscillating strain. The marginal stability curve compares well with earlier experimental and (asymptotic) analytical results in the case of the axisymmetric inertial mode (1,1,0). The resulting flow is dominated by a time-oscillating toroidal vortex and differs very little from the theoretical mode. Two different nonlinear regimes are found, one with saturation to a constant modal amplitude, the other with weak periodic modulation. We also show evidence of the presence of an azimuthal circulation, apparently responsible for the observed modulation

In situ analysis and visualization of massively parallel simulations of transitional and turbulent flows In situ analysis and visualization of massively parallel simulations of transitional and turbulent flows

International audienceThe increase of computational resources with the generalization of massively parallel supercomputers benefits to various fields of physics among which turbulence and fluid mechanics, making it possible to increase time and space accuracy and gain further knowledge in fundamental mechanisms. Parametric studies, high fidelity statistics, high resolutions, can be realized. However, this access poses many problems in terms of data management, analysis and visualization. Traditional workflow, consisting of writing raw data on disks and performing post-processing to extract physical quantities of interest, considerably slows down the analysis, if not becomes impossible, because of data transfer, storage and re-accessibility issues. This is particularly difficult when it comes to visualization. Usage has to be revisited to maintain consistency with the accuracy of the computation step and in this context, in situ processing is a promising approach. We developed an in situ analysis and visualization strategy with an hybrid method for transitional and turbulent flow analysis with a pseudo-spectral solver. It is shown to have a low impact on computational time with a reasonable increase of resource usage, while enriching data exploration. Large time sequences have been analyzed. This could not have been achieved with the traditional workflow. Moreover, computational steering has been performed with real-time adjustment of the simulations, thereby getting closer to a numerical experiment process

The impact of internal waves on upper continental slopes : insights from the Mozambican margin (Southwest Indian Ocean)

Evidences of sedimentation affected by oceanic circulation, such as nepheloid layers and contourites are often observed along continental slopes. However, the oceanographic processes controlling sedimentation along continental margins remain poorly understood. Multibeam bathymetry and high-resolution seismic reflection data revealed a contourite depositional system in the Mozambican upper continental slope composed of a contourite terrace (a surface with a gentle seaward slope dominated by erosion) and a plastered drift (a convex-shape sedimentary deposit). A continuous alongslope channel and a field of sand dunes (mainly migrating upslope), formed during Holocene, were identified in the contourite terrace at the present seafloor. Seismic reflection data of the water column show internal waves and boluses propagating in the pycnocline near the upper slope. The channel and the dunes are probably the result of the interaction of the observed internal waves with the seafloor under two different conditions. The alongslope channel is located in a zone where intense barotropic tidal currents may arrest internal solitary waves, generating a hydraulic jump and focused erosion. However, upslope migrating dunes may be formed by bottom currents induced by internal solitary waves of elevation propagating landwards in the pycnocline. These small-scale sedimentary features generated by internal waves are superimposed on large-scale contouritic deposits, such as plastered drifts and contourite terraces, which are related to geostrophic currents. These findings provide new insights into the oceanographic processes that control sedimentation along continental margins that will help interpretation of palaeoceanographic conditions from the sedimentary record