Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 August 2015
We derive equations for the mean entropy and the mean internal energy in low-Mach-number temperature stratified turbulence (i.e. for turbulent convection or stably stratified turbulence), and show that turbulent flux of entropy is given by   $\boldsymbol{F}_{s}=\overline{{\it\rho}}\,\overline{\boldsymbol{u}s}$ , where
 $\boldsymbol{F}_{s}=\overline{{\it\rho}}\,\overline{\boldsymbol{u}s}$ , where   $\overline{{\it\rho}}$  is the mean fluid density,
 $\overline{{\it\rho}}$  is the mean fluid density,   $s$  is fluctuation of entropy and overbars denote averaging over an ensemble of turbulent velocity fields,
 $s$  is fluctuation of entropy and overbars denote averaging over an ensemble of turbulent velocity fields,   $\boldsymbol{u}$ . We demonstrate that the turbulent flux of entropy is different from the turbulent convective flux,
 $\boldsymbol{u}$ . We demonstrate that the turbulent flux of entropy is different from the turbulent convective flux,   $\boldsymbol{F}_{c}=\overline{T}\,\overline{{\it\rho}}\,\overline{\boldsymbol{u}s}$ , of the fluid internal energy, where
 $\boldsymbol{F}_{c}=\overline{T}\,\overline{{\it\rho}}\,\overline{\boldsymbol{u}s}$ , of the fluid internal energy, where   $\overline{T}$  is the mean fluid temperature. This turbulent convective flux is well-known in the astrophysical and geophysical literature, and it cannot be used as a turbulent flux in the equation for the mean entropy. This result is exact for low-Mach-number temperature stratified turbulence and is independent of the model used. We also derive equations for the velocity–entropy correlation,
 $\overline{T}$  is the mean fluid temperature. This turbulent convective flux is well-known in the astrophysical and geophysical literature, and it cannot be used as a turbulent flux in the equation for the mean entropy. This result is exact for low-Mach-number temperature stratified turbulence and is independent of the model used. We also derive equations for the velocity–entropy correlation,   $\overline{\boldsymbol{u}s}$ , in the limits of small and large Péclet numbers, using the quasi-linear approach and the spectral
 $\overline{\boldsymbol{u}s}$ , in the limits of small and large Péclet numbers, using the quasi-linear approach and the spectral   ${\it\tau}$  approximation, respectively. This study is important in view of different applications to astrophysical and geophysical temperature stratified turbulence.
 ${\it\tau}$  approximation, respectively. This study is important in view of different applications to astrophysical and geophysical temperature stratified turbulence.