The three-dimensional dynamics of shallow vortex dipoles is investigated by means of an innovative 3D-3C (three dimensions, three components) scanning PIV technique. In particular, the three-dimensional structure of a frontal spanwise vortex is characterized. The technique also allows the computation of the pressure field, which is not available using standard 2D PIV measurement. The influence of such complex vortex structures on the mass transport is discussed in light of the available pressure field
