Characteristics of a turbulent density-dependent bottom current under natural conditions

Results are presented on bottom density flows under natural conditions; vertical distributions have been derived for the density, turbidity, mean velocity, scale of the fluctuations in the two flow-speed components, and the turbulent frictional stress. It is concluded that the mechanism of the flow near the bottom is similar to the mechanism for the liquid boundary of the bottom density flow. Although the results are in qualitative agreement with published data, there are substantial quantitative discrepancies over the major turbulent characteristics.