A Theory Of Maximum Entropy Mixing In Estuaries
Files
Date
1967-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
A review and a critique of the theories of estuarine
mixing which have been proposed is presented and it is concluded
that the simplifications usually employed in the
mixing theories based on the convective diffusion equation
are not applicable to the mixing process in, an estuary.
The theory of tidal mixing which has been proposed by Preddy
is discussed and his approach forms the basis for the theory
of maximum entropy mixing which is developed. The analysis of the mixing process in an estuary is formulated in terms
of the theory of Markov chains. Three conservation laws
which any physically reasonable mixing process must satisfy
are formulated and related to the properties of a Markov
chain. The estimate of the appropriate mixing matrix is
based on the maximum entropy principle of statistical mechanics
and information theory. A numerical technique is presented for the solution of the resulting simultaneous transcendental
equations. The equilibrium salinity intrusion data from the Delaware River Model is analyzed and compared
with the theoretical predictions based on the maximum entropy
estimate of the mixing process. The resulting agreement is noted and it is concluded that the theory of maximum entropy
mixing is a sound theoretical and practical solution to the problem of characterizing the mixing process in an estuary.
Description
Keywords
Estuaries Mixing, Maximum Entrophy