An iterative procedure for coupling barotropic gradients and wind-driven currents in non-Newtonian semi-enclosed basins
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Wind-driven circulation in semi-enclosed basins has been extensively studied as a fundamental mechanism of coastal and estuarine transport. The vertical shear of wind velocity provides locally a vertical transfer of horizontal momentum through turbulent stresses to water columns under gravity. Winds also can produce the movement of water as they drag surface waters downwind which, in turn, can set up a water level. This set-up, if stationary conditions hold in a semi-enclosed basin, induces a barotropic pressure gradient that drives an upwind flow which may flow underneath the surface flow. On the other hand, high density particulate matter suspensions in fluids, such as mud layers and gravity currents, debris flows and quicksand modified the rheological behaviour of such fluids. This work presents an iterative procedure for updating the pressure gradient force for a given wind stress in semi-enclosed basins where a non-Newtonian fluid exists with an application to Ligeia Mare, one of the largest hydrocarbon seas on Titan.