Vertical Turbulent at Thermocline Layer in Makassar Strait

Abstract

Makassar Strait is one of the main passage of Indonesian Throughflow (ITF). The purpose of this research is to study the spatial distribution of vertical turbulent at thermocline layer (at a depth about 100-350 m) of the Makassar Strait and to analyze the forcing that trigger it. Hydrographic data obtained from Widya Nusantara Expedition (Ewin) in June 2013, which consists of 29 CTD stations spread across Makassar Strait were use for this study. Water-mass test of GK test was applied to the CTD data to eliminate density inversion caused by noise. The result of this study show that an active turbulent with kinetic energy dissipation rate (e) of 0(10 -9 -10 -8 ) Wkg -1 and diffusivity vertical of K ρ 0(10 -5 -10 -3 ) m 2 s -1 . These results were categorized as relatively strong vertical turbulent and found at a depth of 100-200 m in the northern part of the strait at the entrance of Arlindo. Meanwhile at the southern part of the strait near the exit passage of Arlindo, the vertical turbulent was more intensive on the west side of the strait with e (10 -9 ) Wkg -1 and K ρ (10 -4 ) m 2 s -1 .