Subsurface flow generated by a steady wind stress applied at the water surface

A turbulent water current induced by winds, through a friction force at the sea surface and subjected to the Coriolis force in shallow water was studied. A Large Eddy Simulation model developed by Zikanov et al. is used to solve the Navier-Stokes equations. To define the bottom boundary condition, a drag coefficient parameter, based on the ideas of Csanady, is used to evaluate the shear stress at the bottom. To find a suitable bottom boundary condition for this LES simulation, several cases were considered with change in drag coefficient property. The effect of variation in the depth of the water column was also considered. Variation in surface deflection of the current, variation of the mass flux and distribution of eddy viscosity with depth of the water column are determined. The cases are compared with the case of a deep water column. Numerical results are also compared with field observations.