Direct numerical simulation of low Reynolds number oscillating boundary layers on adiabatic slopes

Abstract: We investigate the instabilities and transition mechanisms of Boussinesq stratified boundary layers on sloping boundaries when subjected to oscillatory body forcing parallel to the slope. Such conditions are typical of the boundary layers generated by low wavenumber internal tides sloshing up and down adiabatic abyssal slopes in the absence of mean flows, high wavenumber internal tides, and resonant tide-bathymetry interactions. We examine flows within a region of non-dimensional parameter space typical of the mid- to low-latitude oceanic $M_2$ tides on hydraulically smooth abyssal slopes by direct numerical simulation. We find that at low Reynolds numbers transition-to-turbulence pathways arise from both shear and gravitational instabilities, and we find that the boundary layers are stabilized by increased outer boundary layer stratification during the downslope oscillation phase. However, if rotation is significant (low slope Burger numbers) we find that boundary layer turbulence is sustained throughout the oscillation period, resembling Stokes-Ekman layer turbulence. Our results suggest that oscillating boundary layers on smooth abyssal slopes created by low wavenumber $M_2$ tides do not cause significant irreversible turbulent buoyancy flux (mixing) and that flat-bottom dissipation rate models derived from the tide amplitude are accurate within an order of magnitude.