Theoretical and Observed Profiles of Tidal Currents at Two Sites on the Southeastern Bering Sea Shelf

摘要

A semi-analytic theory for vertical profiles of tidal currents on the continental shelf is presented in which the vertical eddy viscosity is obtained with a high-resolution, Level II turbulence closure model. Each tidal constituent is assumed to be a free, shallow water wave propagating on an unstratified shelf of constant depth. The eddy viscosity is a time-dependent composite of contributions from the major tidal constituents. The theoretical profiles have been fit to M2 and K1 current harmonic constants observed at two sites on the Southeastern Bering Sea Shelf. The theory provides estimates of residual tidal currents under very restrictive assumptions.