Do small swimmers mix the ocean?

Details Do small swimmers mix the ocean? Do small swimmers mix the ocean?

2010-06-26

arxiv.org/abs/1006.5155v2

Physics

Fluid Dynamics

accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. E

Scientific paper

In this communication we address some hydrodynamic aspects of recently revisited drift mechanism of biogenic mixing in the ocean (Katija and Dabiri, Nature vol. 460, pp. 624-626, 2009). The relevance of the locomotion gait at various spatial scales with respect to the drift is discussed. A hydrodynamic scenario of the drift based on unsteady inertial propulsion, typical for most small marine organisms, is proposed. We estimate its effectiveness by taking into account interaction of a swimmer with the turbulent marine environment. Simple scaling arguments are derived to estimate the comparative role of drift-powered mixing with respect to the turbulence. The analysis indicates substantial biomixing effected by relatively small but numerous drifters, such as krill or jellyfish.

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