scholarly journals Assessment of the importance of the current-wave coupling in the shelf ocean forecasts

Ocean Science ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Jordà ◽  
R. Bolaños ◽  
M. Espino ◽  
A. Sánchez-Arcilla

Abstract. The effects of wave-current interactions on shelf ocean forecasts is investigated in the framework of the MFSTEP (Mediterranean Forecasting System Project Towards Enviromental Predictions) project. A one way sequential coupling approach is adopted to link the wave model (WAM) to the circulation model (SYMPHONIE). The coupling of waves and currents has been done considering four main processes: wave refraction due to currents, surface wind drag and bottom drag modifications due to waves, and the wave induced mass flux. The coupled modelling system is implemented in the southern Catalan shelf (NW Mediterranean), a region with characteristics similar to most of the Mediterranean shelves. The sensitivity experiments are run in a typical operational configuration. The wave refraction by currents seems to be not very relevant in a microtidal context such as the western Mediterranean. The main effect of waves on current forecasts is through the modification of the wind drag. The Stokes drift also plays a significant role due to its spatial and temporal characteristics. Finally, the enhanced bottom friction is just noticeable in the inner shelf.

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 1825-1870 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Jordà ◽  
R. Bolaños ◽  
M. Espino ◽  
A. Sánchez-Arcilla

Abstract. The effects of wave-current interactions on shelf ocean forecasts is investigated in the framework of the MFSTEP (Mediterranean Forecasting System Project Towards Enviromental Predictions) project. A one way sequential coupling approach is adopted to link the wave model (WAM) to the circulation model (SYMPHONIE). The coupling of waves and currents has been done considering four main processes: wave refraction due to currents, surface wind drag and bo€ttom drag modifications due to waves, and the wave induced mass flux. The coupled modelling system is implemented in the southern Catalan shelf (NW Mediterranean), a region with characteristics similar to most of the Mediterranean shelves. The sensitivity experiments are run in a typical operational configuration. The wave refraction by currents seems to be not very relevant in a microtidal context such as the western Mediterranean. The main effect of waves on current forecasts is through the modification of the wind drag. The Stokes drift also plays a significant role due to its spatial and temporal characteristics. Finally, the enhanced bottom friction is just noticeable in the inner shelf.


2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 375-405
Author(s):  
Homayoon Komijani ◽  
Jaak Monbaliu

In our investigation of the effect of wind-waves on barotropic mean flow in coastal areas, we compare two methods for calculating wave-induced force. The wave field is simulated by the nearshore spectral wave model SWAN. The wave-induced force (calculated using the radiation stress gradient and dissipation methods) and the Stokes drift are integrated in the COHERENS circulation model in the depth-averaged mode. The coupled set is validated using well-known academic test cases of planar beach and single-barred beach. Finally, in a two-dimensional test case based on Belgian coastal waters we compare simulations of mean flow using the two methods of calculating waveinduced force against field data.<br/> We show clearly that the two methods for calculation of wave-induced force yield very different results even in depth-averaged mode, depending on the angle of incident wave. Simulation of waveinduced circulation using the wave dissipation approach gives better results than using the radiation stress gradient approach. This is clearly visible for strong wave conditions in which the wind is blowing almost parallel to the shore. Under these conditions, the white-capping type of wave breaking is the dominant dissipation mechanism; in the radiation stress gradient, the dissipation signal is not visible, because the energy loss in the spectrum is compensated by wind input.


2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 1513-1529
Author(s):  
Nicholas J. Lutsko

Abstract The nonacceleration theorem states that the torque exerted on the atmosphere by orography is exactly balanced by the convergence of momentum by the stationary waves that the orography excites. This balance is tested in simulations with a stationary wave model and with a dry, idealized general circulation model (GCM), in which large-scale orography is placed at the latitude of maximum surface wind speed. For the smallest mountain considered (maximum height H = 0.5 m), the nonacceleration balance is nearly met, but the damping in the stationary wave model induces an offset between the stationary eddy momentum flux (EMF) convergence and the mountain torque, leading to residual mean flow changes. A stationary nonlinearity appears for larger mountains (H ≥ 10 m), driven by preferential deflection of the flow around the poleward flank of the orography, and causes further breakdown of the nonacceleration balance. The nonlinearity grows as H is increased, and is stronger in the GCM than in the stationary wave model, likely due to interactions with transient eddies. The midlatitude jet shifts poleward for H ≤ 2 km and equatorward for larger mountains, reflecting changes in the transient EMFs, which push the jet poleward for smaller mountains and equatorward for larger mountains. The stationary EMFs consistently force the jet poleward. These results add to our understanding of how orography affects the atmosphere’s momentum budget, providing insight into how the nonacceleration theorem breaks down; the roles of stationary nonlinearities and transients; and how orography affects the strength and latitude of eddy-driven jets.


Author(s):  
AbdAlla M. AbdAlla ◽  
AbdAlla M. AbdAlla ◽  
Abkar A. Iraqi ◽  
Abkar A. Iraqi ◽  
Magdy M. Farag ◽  
...  

Sea level and wave data at Salalah coast (Oman) were used to simulate nearshore waves and current during the tropical cyclone ARB01 (9 May2002). STWAVE model (Steady State Spectral Wave) was applied for nearshore wave simulation, while M2D model ((Two-Dimensional Depth Averaged circulation model) was used to simulate nearshore current. The results of simulations (taking into account the mutual effects of both current and waves) showed that: The significant wave heights generally decrease from about 6m at the domain boundary to about 1 m close to the coast. The wave heights during the ebb period were higher than that during the flood period by about 1.5m. Along Salalah coast, higher waves were found along the eastern side of the domain. This is because the shielding effect of breakwater, which protect the western part of the coast from high waves. Relatively Strong current with values up to 1.5 ms-1 were found in the nearshore region during both ebb and flood periods. The M2D model results also showed cyclonic circulations during these periods which help in the renewal of harbor waters. Generally, the model results showed good agreements with observations in the investigated area.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Di Iorio ◽  
Manon Audax ◽  
Julie Deter ◽  
Florian Holon ◽  
Julie Lossent ◽  
...  

AbstractMonitoring the biodiversity of key habitats and understanding the drivers across spatial scales is essential for preserving ecosystem functions and associated services. Coralligenous reefs are threatened marine biodiversity hotspots that are challenging to monitor. As fish sounds reflect biodiversity in other habitats, we unveiled the biogeography of coralligenous reef sounds across the north-western Mediterranean using data from 27 sites covering 2000 km and 3 regions over a 3-year period. We assessed how acoustic biodiversity is related to habitat parameters and environmental status. We identified 28 putative fish sound types, which is up to four times as many as recorded in other Mediterranean habitats. 40% of these sounds are not found in other coastal habitats, thus strongly related to coralligenous reefs. Acoustic diversity differed between geographical regions. Ubiquitous sound types were identified, including sounds from top-predator species and others that were more specifically related to the presence of ecosystem engineers (red coral, gorgonians), which are key players in maintaining habitat function. The main determinants of acoustic community composition were depth and percentage coverage of coralligenous outcrops, suggesting that fish-related acoustic communities exhibit bathymetric stratification and are related to benthic reef assemblages. Multivariate analysis also revealed that acoustic communities can reflect different environmental states. This study presents the first large-scale map of acoustic fish biodiversity providing insights into the ichthyofauna that is otherwise difficult to assess because of reduced diving times. It also highlights the potential of passive acoustics in providing new aspects of the correlates of biogeographical patterns of this emblematic habitat relevant for monitoring and conservation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Paulo de Freitas Assad ◽  
Carina Stefoni Böck ◽  
Rogerio Neder Candella ◽  
Luiz Landau

The knowledge of wind stress variability could represent an important contribution to understand the variability over upper layer ocean volume transports. The South Brazilian Bight (SBB) circulation had been studied by numerous researchers who predominantly attempted to estimate its meridional volume transport. The main objective and contribution of this study is to identify and quantify possible interannual variability in the ocean volume transport in the SBB induced by the sea surface wind stress field. A low resolution ocean global circulation model was implemented to investigate the volume transport variability. The results obtained indicate the occurrence of interannual variability in meridional ocean volume transports along three different zonal sections. These results also indicate the influence of a wind driven large-scale atmospheric process that alters locally the SBB and near-offshore region wind stress field and consequently causes interannual variability in the upper layer ocean volume transports. A strengthening of the southward flow in 25°S and 30°S was observed. The deep layer ocean volume transport in the three monitored sections indicates a potential dominance of other remote ocean processes. A small time lag between the integrated meridional volume transports changes in each monitored zonal section was observed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brodie Pearson

AbstractThis study shows that the presence of Stokes drift us in the turbulent upper ocean induces a near-surface Eulerian current that opposes the Stokes drift. This current is distinct from previously studied anti-Stokes currents because it does not rely on the presence of planetary rotation or mean lateral gradients. Instead, the anti-Stokes flow arises from an interaction between the Stokes drift and turbulence. The new anti-Stokes flow is antiparallel to us near the ocean surface, is parallel to us at depth, and integrates to zero over the depth of the boundary layer. The presence of Stokes drift in large-eddy simulations (LES) is shown to induce artificial energy production caused by a combination of the new anti-Stokes flow and LES numerics. As a result, care must be taken when designing and interpreting simulations of realistic wave forcing, particularly as rotation becomes weak and/or us becomes perpendicular to the surface wind stress. The mechanism of the artificial energy production is demonstrated for a generalized LES subgrid scheme.


2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 659-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Marmain ◽  
A. Molcard ◽  
P. Forget ◽  
A. Barth ◽  
Y. Ourmières

Abstract. HF radar measurements are used to optimize surface wind forcing and baroclinic open boundary condition forcing in order to constrain model coastal surface currents. This method is applied to a northwestern Mediterranean (NWM) regional primitive equation model configuration. A new radar data set, provided by two radars deployed in the Toulon area (France), is used. To our knowledge, this is the first time that radar measurements of the NWM Sea are assimilated into a circulation model. Special attention has been paid to the improvement of the model coastal current in terms of speed and position. The data assimilation method uses an ensemble Kalman smoother to optimize forcing in order to improve the model trajectory. Twin experiments are initially performed to evaluate the method skills. Real measurements are then fed into the circulation model and significant improvements to the modeled surface currents, when compared to observations, are obtained.


Author(s):  
Adil Rasheed ◽  
Jakob Kristoffer Süld ◽  
Mandar Tabib

Accurate prediction of near surface wind and wave height are important for many offshore activities like fishing, boating, surfing, installation and maintenance of marine structures. The current work investigates the use of different methodologies to make accurate predictions of significant wave height and local wind. The methodology consists of coupling an atmospheric code HARMONIE and a wave model WAM. Two different kinds of coupling methodologies: unidirectional and bidirectional coupling are tested. While in Unidirectional coupling only the effects of atmosphere on ocean surface are taken into account, in bidirectional coupling the effects of ocean surface on the atmosphere are also accounted for. The predicted values of wave height and local wind at 10m above the ocean surface using both the methodologies are compared against observation data. The results show that during windy conditions, a bidirectional coupling methodology has better prediction capability.


2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 2815-2827
Author(s):  
Shengpeng Wang ◽  
Zhao Jing ◽  
Qiuying Zhang ◽  
Ping Chang ◽  
Zhaohui Chen ◽  
...  

AbstractIn this study, the global eddy kinetic energy (EKE) budget in horizontal wavenumber space is analyzed based on 1/10° ocean general circulation model simulations. In both the tropical and midlatitude regions, the barotropic energy conversion from background flow to eddies is positive throughout the wavenumber space and generally peaks at the scale (Le) where EKE reaches its maximum. The baroclinic energy conversion is more pronounced at midlatitudes. It exhibits a dipolar structure with positive and negative values at scales smaller and larger than Le, respectively. Surface wind power on geostrophic flow results in a significant EKE loss around Le but deposits energy at larger scales. The interior viscous dissipation and bottom drag inferred from the pressure flux convergence act as EKE sink terms. The latter is most efficient at Le while the former is more dominant at smaller scales. There is an evident mismatch between EKE generation and dissipation in the spectral space especially at the midlatitudes. This is reconciled by a dominant forward energy cascade on the equator and a dominant inverse energy cascade at the midlatitudes.


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