The role of double diffusion in a Gulf Stream frontal intrusion

Abstract

Double diffusive convection is possible where large vertical gradients in temperature and salinity tend to compensate in density. Frontal intrusions have these large gradients and can provide the possibility for a salt finger interface at one boundary and a diffusive interface at the other. But large vertical gradients of velocity are present at the boundaries of intrusions, which cause mechanical stirring and turbulent mixing as well. In the exceptionally active intrusions at the Gulf Stream Front near 38°N 69°W, a convective process resulting from incomplete mechanical mixing was observed photographically on both intrusive boundaries.