La estructura interior de las corrientes en el área de Punta Médanos, Argentina

Abstract

Following a series of measurements of the vertical distribution of marine currents in the area of Punta Médanos, Argentina, the characteristics of the intemal friction have been calculated. The place presents an unusual bathyrnetry due to the existence of linear sand-banks and other superimposed minor formations. The maximum velocities in the area are of the order of 50 cm/s and they follow in general the coast lineo Turbulent viscosity mean values VT are of the order of 350 cm2/s. The equivalent roughness r is high, reaching a maximum value of 63 cm, same order of magnitude as that deduced by Scott and Csanady (1976). The values obtained for the coefficient that linearizes the hottom shear stresses A and the Darcy coefficient f are 0.1 cm/s and 0.03, respectively. The results obtained indicate that the banks act upon the currents direction but not on the roughness of the bottom.