Abstract
Natural waters are commonly density stratified as a result of the variations in temperature, salinity and/or sediment concentration. This density stratification can drive an exchange of fluids between two adjacent water bodies in the connecting channel or strait. Understanding the dynamics of two-layer exchange flows is important in modeling water quality in aquatic systems. This paper reports an experimental study on the hydrodynamic instabilities formed at the interface of exchange flows. The generation of both Kelvin-Helmholtz instability and Holmboe instability are examined, and their growth and flow entrainment are measured.