• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.12-20
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• 2001

The temporal variability in near-field mixing characteristics of discharging plumes in oceanic environment was investigated using the time series data of the buoyant jet parameters. Based on the currents and density profiles observed in Masan outfall site and effluent discharge flowrates for 63days of summer season, the temporal variabilities and those occurrence frequency were obtained by line plume equations. The results show that wide range of variability in Masan outfall's mixing characteristics was found due to the temporal changes of effluent flowrates and ambient oceanic conditions. The near-field dilution was in the range of 30~71 with the averaged dilution of 34, which was a good agreement with field measurements of salinity deficit. The length of mixing zone was in the range of 5.4~36.2 m with the average of 9.5 m, and the plume rise height was in the range of 8.1~10.2 m with the average of 8.9 m. However, only the 30~44% of the whole results are higher than the averages, which indicates the necessity of this frequency analysis with the continuously measured data for designing and managing the ocean outfall system.