Large eddy simulation of turbulent boundary layer effects on stratified fluids in a rotating conical container

We revisit the arrested Ekman boundary layer problem, using a fully non-linear numerical model with the subgrid dissipation modeled by the large eddy simulation method (LES). The main objective of this study is to find out whether the dynamic balance of the arrested Ekman boundary layer explained by MacCready and Rhines (1991) is valid for high Reynolds number. The model solution indicates that for high Reynolds number and low Richardson number flows, the density anomaly diffusion by near-wall turbulent action may become intense enough to homogenize completely the density structure within the boundary layer, in the direction perpendicular to the sloping wall. Then the buoyancy effect becomes negligible allowing a near-equilibrium Ekman boundary layer flow to persist for a long period.