Small-scale variability of the current in the Strait of Bonifacio

Type Article
Date 2015-08
Language English
Author(s) Gerigny Olivia1, 2, Coudray Sylvain2, Lapucci Chiara3, 4, Tomasino Corinne2, Bisgambiglia Paul-Antoine1, Galgani FrancoisORCID2
Affiliation(s) 1 : Univ Cors Pasquale Paoli, CNRS UMR SPE 6134, UMS Stella Mare Lieu dit U CASONE 3514, F-20620 Biguglia, France.
2 : IFREMER, Dept Oceanog & Dynam Ecosyst, Lab Environm Ressources Provence Azur Corse, RST ODE LERPAC, F-33083507 La Seyne Sur Mer, France.
3 : Natl Council Res IBIMET CNR, Inst BioMeteorol, I-50145 Florence, Italy.
4 : Environm Modelling & Monitoring Lab Sustainable D, I-50019 Florence, Italy.
Source Ocean Dynamics (1616-7341) (Springer Heidelberg), 2015-08 , Vol. 65 , N. 8 , P. 1165-1182
DOI 10.1007/s10236-015-0863-5
WOS© Times Cited 8
Note This article is part of the Topical Collection on the 17th biennial workshop of the Joint Numerical Sea Modelling Group (JONSMOD) in Brussels, Belgium 12-14 May 2014
Keyword(s) ADCP profiles, Regional model, Hydrodynamic, Corsica current, Strait circulation, North-west Mediterranean basin
Abstract Current dynamics in the Strait of Bonifacio (south Corsica) were investigated at a small scale during the STELLAMARE1 multidisciplinary cruise in summer 2012, using in situ measurements and modeling data. The Strait of Bonifacio is a particularly sensitive marine area in which specific conservation measures have been taken to preserve the natural environment and wild species. Good knowledge of the hydrodynamics in this area is essential to optimize the Marine Protected Area's management rules. Therefore, we used a high-resolution model (400 m) based on the MARS3D code to investigate the main flux exchanges and to formulate certain hypotheses about the formation of possible eddy structures. The aim of the present paper is first to synthetize the results obtained by combining Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler data, hydrological parameters, Lagrangian drifter data, and satellite observations such as MODIS OC5 chlorophyll a data or Metop-A AVHRR Sea Surface Temperature (SST) data. These elements are then used to validate the presence of the mesoscale eddies simulated by the model and their recurrence outside the cruise period. To complete the analysis, the response of the 3D hydrodynamical model was evaluated under two opposing wind systems and certain biases were detected. Strong velocities up to 1 m s(-1) were recorded in the east part due to the Venturi effect; a complementary system of vortices governed by Coriolis effect and west wind was observed in the west part, and horizontal stratification in the central part has been identified under typical wind condition.
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