Rotational effects on exchange flows across a submerged sill

Abstract This paper presents new laboratory-scale numerical simulations of density-driven exchange flows generated across an idealised, submerged sill obstruction under both non-rotating and rotating frames reference using the Bergen Ocean Model (BOM), a three-dimensional general ocean circulation model. Initial BOM are compared directly with previous laboratory data obtained in large-scale channel facility incorporating idealised trapezoidal sill. These experiments demonstrate that saline intrusion flux is initially reduced then eventually fully blocked increasing net-barotropic flow conditions imposed counterflowing upper freshwater layer, blockage also more evident for submergence depths. parametric dependences demonstrated equivalent flows, although model results tend to overpredict interfacial velocity density gradients (as indicative suppressed mixing), as well fresh-saline source ratio at which full occurs. The extended consider dynamics. In particular, these additional runs Coriolis forces increase overall layer especially when Rossby number associated considerably less than unity. effect largely attributed development Ekman boundary dynamics secondary circulations within bi-directional flows. shown impose strong control on transverse distribution extent lower and, hence, achieved