The vertical thermohaline and biogeochemical structures of the upper layer (0 - 200 m) were studied in the Gulf of Tadjourah using high-resolution hydrographic data collected in July-August 2013, September 2013 and Fe...The vertical thermohaline and biogeochemical structures of the upper layer (0 - 200 m) were studied in the Gulf of Tadjourah using high-resolution hydrographic data collected in July-August 2013, September 2013 and February 2014. During summer, the superficial layer consisted of the mixed layer (ML) extending to a depth of about 20 - 30 m followed by the thermocline located between 30 and 50 m depth. The ML was thicker in the west and the southeast where the thermal gradient and chlorophyll a concentrations were particularly high. During September, this stratification persisted but the ML became warmer and saltier and the thermocline moved slightly deeper. In February, the ML extended to about 120 m, and the thermocline was less pronounced. A comparison of the directly measured currents to the wind induced Ekman current and to geostrophic velocity profiles revealed that the thermohaline and the biogeochemical features in summer were related to the southwest monsoon (SWM). The SWM drives surface water from the Gulf of Tadjourah to the Gulf of Aden and thus induces westward intrusion of the high salinity thermocline water from the Gulf of Aden;this near surface flow mixes surface waters in the extreme west of the Gulf of Tajourah. In contrast, the northeast monsoon (NEM), predominant in winter, brings cold water toward the Gulf of Tadjourah and thickens the ML through convective mixing. Our study shows that the SWM plays a crucial role in the stratification of the water column during summer but bathymetry influences its effects. The bowl-shape of the basin and its elongated slope in the west enhance the upwelling in this area where negative sea surface temperature anomalies and high chlorophyll a concentrations were observed.展开更多
A homogeneous shallow-water model with free surface is used to model the tidal circulation in the Persian Gulf. The numerical finite-difference model includes harmonic diffusion of horizontal momentum and quadratic bo...A homogeneous shallow-water model with free surface is used to model the tidal circulation in the Persian Gulf. The numerical finite-difference model includes harmonic diffusion of horizontal momentum and quadratic bottom friction, it has a 9 km mesh size and it is forced by 7 tidal components at its southern boundary. High precision bathymetric data are used to obtain the bottom topography. The numerical model is run for more than a year. The results are the following: 1) The model accurately reproduces the tidal phase and amplitude observed at 42 tidal gauges in the region. This accuracy is attributed to the presence of the 7 components which are able to interact nonlinearly;2) The amphidromic points are also well positioned by the model due to a proper choice of bathymetry. This was checked also with a simpler geometry of the domain;3) The tidal currents can be strong in the Straits of Hormuz and in shallow areas;thus they will have an effect of the hydrology of the region. The residual currents are weak so that they will be negligible for the large-scale circulation on long periods;4) Finally, the sea-surface elevation forecast by the model is in close agreement with in-situ measurements of pressure in the Straits, performed during the GOGP99 experiment.展开更多
Hydrological and LADCP data from four experiments at sea (Semane 1999, 2000/1 2000/3, 2001) are used to describe the structure and circulation of Mediterranean Water in the Gulf of Cadiz. These data were gathered on m...Hydrological and LADCP data from four experiments at sea (Semane 1999, 2000/1 2000/3, 2001) are used to describe the structure and circulation of Mediterranean Water in the Gulf of Cadiz. These data were gathered on meridional sections along 8?20′W and 6?15′W and between these longitudes on a zonal section along 35?50′N. The mesoscale and the submesoscale structures (Mediterranean Water Undercurrents, meddies, cyclones) observed along these sections are characterized in terms of thermohaline properties and of velocity. The transports of mass and salt in each class of density (North Atlantic Central Water, Mediterranean Water, North Atlantic Deep Water) are computed with an inverse model. The model indicates a general eastward flux in the Central Water layer, and a westward flux in the Mediterranean Water layer, but there is also a horizontal recirculation and entrainment in these two layers, as well as strong transports associated with the meddy and cyclone found during Semane 1999.展开更多
We present a set of equations describing the nonlinear dynamics of flows constrained by environmental rotation and stratification (Rossby numbers Ro∈[0.1,0.5] and Burger numbers of order unity). The fluid is assumed ...We present a set of equations describing the nonlinear dynamics of flows constrained by environmental rotation and stratification (Rossby numbers Ro∈[0.1,0.5] and Burger numbers of order unity). The fluid is assumed incompressible, adiabatic, inviscid and in hydrostatic balance. This set of equations is derived from the Navier Stokes equations (with the above properties), using a Rossby number expansion with second order truncation. The resulting model has the following properties: 1) it can represent motions with moderate Rossby numbers and a Burger number of order unity;2) it filters inertia-gravity waves by assuming that the divergence of horizontal velocity remains small;3) it is written in terms of a single function of space and time (pressure, generalized streamfunction or Bernoulli function);4) it conserves total (Ertel) vorticity in a Lagrangian form, and its quadratic norm (potential enstrophy) at the model order in Rossby number;5) it also conserves total energy at the same order if the work of pressure forces vanishes when integrated over the fluid domain. The layerwise version of the model is finally presented, written in terms of pressure. Integral properties (energy, enstrophy) are conserved by these layerwise equations. The model equations agree with the generalized geostrophy equations in the appropriate parameter regime. Application to vortex dynamics are mentioned.展开更多
A shallow-water model, coupled with a three dimensional, hydrostatic ocean model, is used to study the wind induced circulation, and the Shatt-al-Arab river plume expansion, in the Persian Gulf. The models are used in...A shallow-water model, coupled with a three dimensional, hydrostatic ocean model, is used to study the wind induced circulation, and the Shatt-al-Arab river plume expansion, in the Persian Gulf. The models are used in an idealized configuration. The following results are obtained: 1) with northwesterly winds, a double gyre is formed: this gyre is cyclonic in the south and anticyclonic in the north. Southeastward currents flow along the Iranian and Arabian coast where the wind stress at the surface dominates the pressure gradient related to the free surface slope, and conversely in the deeper region of the Gulf;2) In the eastern part of the Gulf, the cyclonic gyre intensifies, as observed and reported in the literature;3) For northwesterly winds, the plume from Shatt-al-Arab first heads towards the Iranian coast and then spreads southeastward along the Arabian coast;for northerly and northeasterly winds, the plume directly follows the Kuwaiti coast and then the Arabian coast. This sensitivity of the orientation can be related to the double gyre flow structure;4) A southeasterly wind confines the plume in the northern end of the Gulf as does a pure tidal flow.展开更多
Hydrological and marine seismic data, collected in the Gulf of Cadiz (respectively in July 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002, and in April 2000 and 2001) are analysed to reveal the various structures of Mediterranean Water (M...Hydrological and marine seismic data, collected in the Gulf of Cadiz (respectively in July 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002, and in April 2000 and 2001) are analysed to reveal the various structures of Mediterranean Water (MW). Both the hydrological and seismic data clearly identify the MW undercurrents on the Iberian slope, detached MW eddies (meddies and a cyclone) and smaller fragments of MW (filaments and small eddies). Seismic reflectivity and synthetic reflectivity computed from hydrology, indicate that strong acoustic reflectors, associated with 8 - 64 m thick homogeneous water layers, are found above and below meddies and filaments, around the MW undercurrents, but mostly in the lower part of cyclones and below submesoscale eddies. Reflectors are also observed in the near surface layers where thermohaline contrasts are quite pronounced. The successful use of seismic data to locate submesoscale MW structures, superior to that of hydrology, is related to the improved horizontal resolution.展开更多
文摘The vertical thermohaline and biogeochemical structures of the upper layer (0 - 200 m) were studied in the Gulf of Tadjourah using high-resolution hydrographic data collected in July-August 2013, September 2013 and February 2014. During summer, the superficial layer consisted of the mixed layer (ML) extending to a depth of about 20 - 30 m followed by the thermocline located between 30 and 50 m depth. The ML was thicker in the west and the southeast where the thermal gradient and chlorophyll a concentrations were particularly high. During September, this stratification persisted but the ML became warmer and saltier and the thermocline moved slightly deeper. In February, the ML extended to about 120 m, and the thermocline was less pronounced. A comparison of the directly measured currents to the wind induced Ekman current and to geostrophic velocity profiles revealed that the thermohaline and the biogeochemical features in summer were related to the southwest monsoon (SWM). The SWM drives surface water from the Gulf of Tadjourah to the Gulf of Aden and thus induces westward intrusion of the high salinity thermocline water from the Gulf of Aden;this near surface flow mixes surface waters in the extreme west of the Gulf of Tajourah. In contrast, the northeast monsoon (NEM), predominant in winter, brings cold water toward the Gulf of Tadjourah and thickens the ML through convective mixing. Our study shows that the SWM plays a crucial role in the stratification of the water column during summer but bathymetry influences its effects. The bowl-shape of the basin and its elongated slope in the west enhance the upwelling in this area where negative sea surface temperature anomalies and high chlorophyll a concentrations were observed.
文摘A homogeneous shallow-water model with free surface is used to model the tidal circulation in the Persian Gulf. The numerical finite-difference model includes harmonic diffusion of horizontal momentum and quadratic bottom friction, it has a 9 km mesh size and it is forced by 7 tidal components at its southern boundary. High precision bathymetric data are used to obtain the bottom topography. The numerical model is run for more than a year. The results are the following: 1) The model accurately reproduces the tidal phase and amplitude observed at 42 tidal gauges in the region. This accuracy is attributed to the presence of the 7 components which are able to interact nonlinearly;2) The amphidromic points are also well positioned by the model due to a proper choice of bathymetry. This was checked also with a simpler geometry of the domain;3) The tidal currents can be strong in the Straits of Hormuz and in shallow areas;thus they will have an effect of the hydrology of the region. The residual currents are weak so that they will be negligible for the large-scale circulation on long periods;4) Finally, the sea-surface elevation forecast by the model is in close agreement with in-situ measurements of pressure in the Straits, performed during the GOGP99 experiment.
文摘Hydrological and LADCP data from four experiments at sea (Semane 1999, 2000/1 2000/3, 2001) are used to describe the structure and circulation of Mediterranean Water in the Gulf of Cadiz. These data were gathered on meridional sections along 8?20′W and 6?15′W and between these longitudes on a zonal section along 35?50′N. The mesoscale and the submesoscale structures (Mediterranean Water Undercurrents, meddies, cyclones) observed along these sections are characterized in terms of thermohaline properties and of velocity. The transports of mass and salt in each class of density (North Atlantic Central Water, Mediterranean Water, North Atlantic Deep Water) are computed with an inverse model. The model indicates a general eastward flux in the Central Water layer, and a westward flux in the Mediterranean Water layer, but there is also a horizontal recirculation and entrainment in these two layers, as well as strong transports associated with the meddy and cyclone found during Semane 1999.
文摘We present a set of equations describing the nonlinear dynamics of flows constrained by environmental rotation and stratification (Rossby numbers Ro∈[0.1,0.5] and Burger numbers of order unity). The fluid is assumed incompressible, adiabatic, inviscid and in hydrostatic balance. This set of equations is derived from the Navier Stokes equations (with the above properties), using a Rossby number expansion with second order truncation. The resulting model has the following properties: 1) it can represent motions with moderate Rossby numbers and a Burger number of order unity;2) it filters inertia-gravity waves by assuming that the divergence of horizontal velocity remains small;3) it is written in terms of a single function of space and time (pressure, generalized streamfunction or Bernoulli function);4) it conserves total (Ertel) vorticity in a Lagrangian form, and its quadratic norm (potential enstrophy) at the model order in Rossby number;5) it also conserves total energy at the same order if the work of pressure forces vanishes when integrated over the fluid domain. The layerwise version of the model is finally presented, written in terms of pressure. Integral properties (energy, enstrophy) are conserved by these layerwise equations. The model equations agree with the generalized geostrophy equations in the appropriate parameter regime. Application to vortex dynamics are mentioned.
文摘A shallow-water model, coupled with a three dimensional, hydrostatic ocean model, is used to study the wind induced circulation, and the Shatt-al-Arab river plume expansion, in the Persian Gulf. The models are used in an idealized configuration. The following results are obtained: 1) with northwesterly winds, a double gyre is formed: this gyre is cyclonic in the south and anticyclonic in the north. Southeastward currents flow along the Iranian and Arabian coast where the wind stress at the surface dominates the pressure gradient related to the free surface slope, and conversely in the deeper region of the Gulf;2) In the eastern part of the Gulf, the cyclonic gyre intensifies, as observed and reported in the literature;3) For northwesterly winds, the plume from Shatt-al-Arab first heads towards the Iranian coast and then spreads southeastward along the Arabian coast;for northerly and northeasterly winds, the plume directly follows the Kuwaiti coast and then the Arabian coast. This sensitivity of the orientation can be related to the double gyre flow structure;4) A southeasterly wind confines the plume in the northern end of the Gulf as does a pure tidal flow.
文摘Hydrological and marine seismic data, collected in the Gulf of Cadiz (respectively in July 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002, and in April 2000 and 2001) are analysed to reveal the various structures of Mediterranean Water (MW). Both the hydrological and seismic data clearly identify the MW undercurrents on the Iberian slope, detached MW eddies (meddies and a cyclone) and smaller fragments of MW (filaments and small eddies). Seismic reflectivity and synthetic reflectivity computed from hydrology, indicate that strong acoustic reflectors, associated with 8 - 64 m thick homogeneous water layers, are found above and below meddies and filaments, around the MW undercurrents, but mostly in the lower part of cyclones and below submesoscale eddies. Reflectors are also observed in the near surface layers where thermohaline contrasts are quite pronounced. The successful use of seismic data to locate submesoscale MW structures, superior to that of hydrology, is related to the improved horizontal resolution.
