Laboratory experiments on the generation and breaking of internal waves

Internal solitary waves propagating horizontally in a two layer stratified fluid are studied. Laboratory experiments are carried out in order to investigate the generation of large amplitude Internal Solitary Waves (ISWs) in a wave tank through the standard lock-release method. Particular focus is paid to the role of wave breaking which is observed in the experimental campaign. The breaking of ISWs of depression shoaling upon a sloping boundary is analyzed depending on both waves properties and slopes values. Dyed vertical tracers are used and sediments are sprinkled on the slope in order to understand the effects in terms of mixing and bed material redistribution caused by the different breaking mechanisms. Following a qualitatively analysis of the different breaking mechanisms, collapsing breakers show the greater contribution in term of resuspension of bed material, while plunging breakers give rise to the biggest amount of mixing.