Interfacial Spectral Memory as a State Variable for Finite-Depth Salt-Finger Exchange

Abstract

Thermohaline interfaces in the ocean are often treated through local double-diffusive favorability, yet finite interfaces can also inherit roughness from prior waves, stirring, intrusions, and earlier mixing events. Such inherited geometry can matter because salt fingering does not develop from a flat abstract surface in many geophysical settings. We use controlled three-dimensional direct simulations to test whether the spectral state of a finite rough interface changes the pathway by which salt-finger activity develops between adjacent layers. The density ratio, diffusivity ratio, Prandtl number, interface thickness, roughness amplitude, domain, resolution, and analysis window are held fixed; only the imposed roughness spectrum and, for one pair, the realization are changed. Broad low-mode memory produces the largest cumulative salt exchange and the earliest finite-depth contact. High-annulus memory remains localized and intermediate-scale dominated. Mixed memory produces delayed scale transfer and scalar-rich structure that is robust in integrated exchange and broad-memory measures across a second realization, while local plume timing and probe amplitudes remain realization-sensitive. The simulations therefore support treating interfacial spectral memory as an additional state variable for finite-depth double-diffusive exchange, complementary to local thermodynamic descriptors.