J. Sander et al., Surface turbulence in natural waters: A comparison of large eddy simulations with microstructure observations, J GEO RES-O, 105(C1), 2000, pp. 1195-1207
Turbulent properties of the surface layer of stratified lakes have been qua
ntified from temperature microstructure measurements made during convective
conditions. Large eddy simulations have been performed using corresponding
surface boundary conditions. We compare rates of dissipation of turbulent
kinetic energy and dissipation of temperature variance obtained from observ
ations with those obtained from large eddy simulations. While profiles of t
he rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy can be reproduced very w
ell by the model, the rate of dissipation of temperature variance exhibits
smaller values in the calculations. Other statistical characteristics of tu
rbulence agree for both properties. We show that part of the discrepancy de
rives from large-scale lateral advection, which is not represented by the m
odel, while turbulence on the microscale is reproduced well.