LANGMUIR CIRCULATION Meaning and
Definition
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Langmuir circulation refers to a phenomenon that occurs in fluid dynamics, particularly in oceans and large bodies of water, where alternating horizontal circulations form on the surface in the presence of wind or waves. It was named after Irving Langmuir, who extensively studied the phenomenon in the early 20th century.
These circulation patterns result from the interaction between the wind-driven currents and the wave motion on the water's surface. Langmuir circulation typically occurs in long, parallel bands, aligned with the direction of the wind. The circulating cells are elongated, with converging and diverging currents located periodically along their length.
The formation of Langmuir circulation can be described as follows: as wind blows across the surface of the water, frictional forces cause the water to move. The wave motion generated by the wind induces a vertical mixing motion, leading to the generation of vortices parallel to the wind direction. These vortices trap and accumulate floating debris, foam, and biological material, creating streaks or bands of material on the water's surface.
Langmuir circulation has important implications for various environmental processes. It affects the distribution and transport of heat, nutrients, dissolved gases, and contaminants in the water column. It also plays a significant role in marine ecosystems and can influence the behavior of marine organisms, such as larval transport and predator-prey interactions.
Understanding and studying Langmuir circulation is crucial for numerous scientific disciplines, including physical oceanography, marine biology, and coastal engineering, as it helps us comprehend the intricate dynamics of fluid motion and the complex interactions between physical and biological processes in the marine environment.
Etymology of LANGMUIR CIRCULATION
The term Langmuir circulation is named after Irving Langmuir, an American chemist and physicist, who first observed this phenomenon in the early 20th century. Langmuir circulation refers to the pattern of alternating clockwise and counterclockwise rotating cells or vortices that are formed on the surface of bodies of water, such as lakes or oceans, particularly under the influence of wind or other forces. These circulations were studied extensively by Langmuir during his research on atmospheric and oceanic dynamics, and he described them in his scientific publications. As a tribute to his significant contributions in this field, these rotating cells were named after him, hence the term Langmuir circulation.
