Turbulent Coherent Structures Secondary Currents And Sediment Ridges

Turbulent coherent structures, Secondary currents and Sediment ridges

The origin of secondary currents and subaqueous sediment patterns in natural rivers is analysed from first principles. For this purpose, simulations of sediment transport in canonical turbulent open channel flows are performed using a numerical technique that resolves all relevant flow scales and the dynamics of the individual sand grains. The high-fidelity datasets reveal the fundamental importance of individual coherent structures for the development of sediment patterns and secondary flows.

Turbulent Coherent Structures, Secondary Currents and Sediment Ridges

A hydrodynamical perspective on the turbulent transport of bacteria in rivers

The transport of bacteria in turbulent river-like environments is addressed, where bacterial populations are frequently encountered attached to solids. This transport mode is investigated by studying the transient settling of heavy particles in turbulent channel flows featuring sediment beds. A numerical method is used to fully resolve turbulence and finite-size particles, which enables the assessment of the complex interplay between flow structures, suspended solids and river sediment.