The effect of stochastic perturbations on plankton transport by internal solitary waves

Stastna, M.; Poulin, F. J.; Subich, C.; Mecking, J. V.. 2011 The effect of stochastic perturbations on plankton transport by internal solitary waves. Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics, 18 (6). 1001-1012. https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-18-1001-2011

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/npg-18-1001-2011

Abstract/Summary

Internal solitary and solitary-like waves are a commonly observed feature of density stratified natural waters, including lakes and the coastal ocean. Since such waves induce significant currents throughout the water column they can be responsible for significant transport of both passive and swimming biota. We consider simple models of moving zooplankton based on the Langevin equation. The small amplitude randomness significantly alters the nature of particle motion. In particular, passage through the wave leads to strongly non Gaussian particle distributions. When the plankton swims to return to its equilibrium photic level, a steady state that balances randomness, swimming and wave-induced motions is possible. We discuss possible implications of this steady state for organisms that feed on plankton.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-18-1001-2011
ISSN:	1607-7946
Date made live:	21 Nov 2019 19:41 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/525958

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-18-1001-2011

ISSN:

1607-7946

Date made live:

21 Nov 2019 19:41 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/525958