The role of straits and channels in understanding the characteristics of Mediterranean circulation

Astraldi, M.; Balopoulos, S; Candela, Julio; Font, Jordi; Gačić, Miroslav; Gasparini, Gian Pietro; Manca, Beniamino B.; Theocharis, Alexander; Tintoré, Joaquı́n

doi:10.1016/s0079-6611(99)00021-x

Cited by 256 publications

(230 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…[39] The present model results are in agreement with several observations which indicate that the surface current in the channel has the tendency to be split in two branches; part of the MAW follows the Tunisian coast, and another fraction flows over the Sicilian shelf forming the AIS [Garzoli and Maillard, 1979;Manzella et al, 1988;Astraldi et al, 1999;Robinson et al, 1999]. Lagrangian trajectories furthermore confirm this scenario (Mediterranean Drifters Data Base of the Naval Postgraduate School, available at http//www.oc.nps.navy.mil).…”

Section: Model-data Comparisonsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Estimates from observations span between 0.6 and 3 Sv (1 Sv = 10 6 m 3 s À1 ) with the MAW flow usually estimated about 10% larger than the LIW [Molcard, 1972;Bethoux, 1979;Hopkins, 1978;Bryden and Stommel, 1984;Moretti et al, 1993;Manzella, 1994;Astraldi et al, 1999] (Table 1). Volume transport, for the present numerical experiments, is calculated in section A described previously, and Figure 18 shows the relative time series.…”

Section: Variability Of the Volume Transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The deeper layers are occupied by the Levantine Intermediate Water (LIW) (at depth >250 m) identified by the salinity maximum, a clear signal throughout the year, considered to be a constant feature of the hydrological structure of the channel [Manzella et al, 1990;Moretti et al, 1993;Astraldi et al, 1999].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modeling the baroclinic circulation in the area of the Sicily channel: The role of stratification and energy diagnostics

Napolitano¹,

Sannino²,

Artale³

et al. 2003

J. Geophys. Res.

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[1] Aspects of the circulation of the Sicily channel region are studied with a highresolution, primitive equation, sigma coordinate model. This work is an attempt to study the process governing the purely baroclinic dynamics and its sensitivity to seasonal stratification, thus no atmospheric forcing is used. Two numerical experiments are analyzed using, as initial conditions, diagnostic velocity fields derived from the winter and summer climatological hydrologies. The quasi-steady state is characterized by circulation patterns, in the depth range of the Modified Atlantic Water (MAW) and the Levantine Intermediate Water (LIW), strongly controlled by mesoscale eddies and topography. Seasonal difference is found in the surface current which exhibits the major variability on the African side, downstream of Adventure Bank and the Ionian Slope where the absolute maximum occurs. The intermediate circulation instead does not show relevant seasonal differences. LIW enters through the two passages south of Malta Plateau and preferentially flows along the Sicilian shelf edge exiting over the northern sill. Its pathway is strongly controlled by subsurface cyclonic and anticyclonic cells. The results are in good agreement with observations. An energy diagnostics is applied to model results and sheds important light on dynamical characteristics of the mesoscale eddy field and indicates seasonal differences in the energetic exchange with the mean flow. The analysis of the mean (MKE) and eddy (EKE) kinetic energy, the transfer terms between energy compartments and the eddy momentum flux divergence indicates how eddies are strongly energetic in summer and exchange energy more efficiently with the mean flow. In the quasi-steady state MAW volume transport and MKE and EKE fluctuations are strongly correlated. This result suggests that mesoscale motions can control up to 40% of volume transport variability.INDEX TERMS: 4255 Oceanography: General: Numerical modeling; 4512 Oceanography: Physical: Currents; 4520 Oceanography: Physical: Eddies and mesoscale processes; KEYWORDS: Mediterranean, Sicily Strait, mesoscale, modeling Citation: Napolitano, E., G. Sannino, V. Artale, and S. Marullo, Modeling the baroclinic circulation in the area of the Sicily channel: The role of stratification and energy diagnostics,

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Section: Model-data Comparisonsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Variability Of the Volume Transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modeling the baroclinic circulation in the area of the Sicily channel: The role of stratification and energy diagnostics

Napolitano¹,

Sannino²,

Artale³

et al. 2003

J. Geophys. Res.

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“…Water masses from the northwest Levantine also enter the Cretan Sea at intermediate depths (Levantine Intermediate Water-LIW) following the same LSW pathways through the eastern Cretan Straits [Theocharis et al, 1993] although Astraldi et al, [1999] have reported that some minor LIW masses also enter through [Zodiatis, 1991b]. However, it was not until Schlitzer et al [1991] named these intermediate masses of Cretan Sea origin as Cretan Intermediate Water (CIW) that they were identified as a distinguishable water mass.…”

Section: Surface and Intermediate Masses And Circulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dense intermediate water outflow from the Cretan Sea: A salinity driven, recurrent phenomenon, connected to thermohaline circulation changes

et al. 2014

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Data collected from different platforms in the Cretan Sea during the 2000s decade present evidence of gradually increasing salinity in the intermediate and deep intermediate layers after the middle of the decade. The observed gradual salt transport toward the deeper layers indicates contributions of dense water masses formed in various Aegean Sea subbasins. The accumulation of these saline and dense water masses in the Cretan Sea finally led to outflow from both Cretan Straits, with density greater than typical Levantine/Cretan Intermediate water but not dense enough to penetrate into the deep layers of the Eastern Mediterranean. We name this outflowing water mass as dense Cretan Intermediate Water (dCIW). A retrospective analysis of in situ data and literature references during the last four decades shows that similar events have occurred in the past in two occasions: (a) in the 1970s and (b) during the Eastern Mediterranean Transient (EMT) onset (1987)(1988)(1989)(1990)(1991). We argue that these salinity-driven Aegean outflows are mostly attributed to recurrent changes of the Eastern Mediterranean upper thermohaline circulation that create favorable dense water formation conditions in the Aegean Sea through salinity preconditioning. We identify these phenomena as ''EMT-like'' events and argue that in these cases internal thermohaline mechanisms dominate over atmospheric forcing in dense water production. However, intense atmospheric forcing over an already salinity preconditioned basin is indispensable for creating massive deep water outflow from the Cretan Sea, such as the EMT event.

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“…1). The Strait of Sicily plays a key role in the circulation between these two Mediterranean basins (Astraldi et al 1999). The surface Atlantic waters coming from the Strait of Gibraltar flow close to the northern Tunisian coast and the Levantine intermediate waters fills the whole bottom section of the strait (Grazoli and Maillard 1979, Lermusiaux and Robinson 2001, Astraldi et al 2002, Hamad et al 2005.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Characterization of the Spawning Environments of European Anchovy, <I>Engraulis Encrasicolus</I>, and Round Sardinella, <I>Sardinella Aurita</I> (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes) in the Eastern Coast of Tunisia

Zarrad

Alemany

Jarboui

et al. 2012

Acta Icth et Piscat

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The role of straits and channels in understanding the characteristics of Mediterranean circulation

Cited by 256 publications

References 35 publications

Modeling the baroclinic circulation in the area of the Sicily channel: The role of stratification and energy diagnostics

Modeling the baroclinic circulation in the area of the Sicily channel: The role of stratification and energy diagnostics

Dense intermediate water outflow from the Cretan Sea: A salinity driven, recurrent phenomenon, connected to thermohaline circulation changes

Comparative Characterization of the Spawning Environments of European Anchovy, <I>Engraulis Encrasicolus</I>, and Round Sardinella, <I>Sardinella Aurita</I> (Actinopterygii: Clupeiformes) in the Eastern Coast of Tunisia

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