Numerical and laboratory experiments of sidewall heating thermohaline convection

The spectral calculations of the Row which develops near a heated vertical wall in a fluid stably stratified by a salinity gradient are carried out. T he case of weak stratification and heating due to a constant heat flux is c onsidered. The numerical results ale compared to the experimental ones. Bot h on qualitative and quantitative arguments, a satisfactory agreement is ob tained. The cell formation process is discussed by focusing on the occurren ce of counter-rotative cells and on the instability phenomenon of the simul taneous creation of cells. The high sensitivity of such phenomena to slight disturbances at the initial time is pointed out. (C) 2001 Published by Els evier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.