Tidal dynamics on the North Patagonian Argentinean Gulfs

Abstract

and quarter-diurnal (M 4 , MN 4 and MS 4) barotropic tides over the North Patagonian Gulfs of Argentina: San Matías, (SMG), Nuevo (NG) and San Jos e (SJG) are examined using a regional numerical model. Detailed comparison of computed elevations and currents with those obtained from harmonic analysis of few long-term observational records showed good agreement. A large amplification of all semidiurnal waves is recorded when they cross SMG mouth. Most of the tidal energy coming from the south at this frequency dissipates to the northeast of Vald es Península, where the largest tidal currents are located. While M 2 currents (up to 2e2.5 m/s) are dominant, there are large S 2 and N 2 currents and locally intensified diurnal currents (5e10 cm/s) in some outer shelf locations. At difference with the semidiurnal and diurnal tides the higher harmonics M 4 , MS 4 and MN 4 develop a large amplification inside the NG. The model revealed a complex field of tidal residual currents. The intensity of such currents in some locations are of the same order of magnitude as those generated by winds or offshore forcing. We have identified three main patterns of residual circulation: regional coastal currents and gulf-wide gyres; inlet eddies and, topographic eddies. Vorticity balances and sensitivity experiments indicate that non-linear advection and bottom topography are the key mechanisms involved in the generation of these residual structures.

Seasonal Variability of the Oceanic Circulation in the Gulf of San Jorge, Argentina

“…The southeastern gyre is driven by tidal rectification over the South Bank, and the southwestern gyre is generated by westerly winds acting on the particular geomorphology of the gulf. These results are consistent with similar barotropic models of the Patagonian Shelf gulfs (Palma et al, 2004a;Tonini et al, 2006;Tonini and Palma, 2017).…”

Evolutionary relationships of the Tehuelche scallopAequipecten tehuelchus(Bivalvia: Pectinidae) from the south-western Atlantic Ocean

“…Although some advances have been made in the development of microsatellites in this species (Domínguez-Contreras et al , 2017), the genetic structure of the population has not been studied to date. Based on a model of water circulation in the south-western Atlantic Ocean proposed by Tonini & Palma (2017), we hypothesized that the northward coastal current described could connect the scallop populations along the Argentinean coast. Amoroso et al (2011), postulated a physical mechanism capable of dispersing larvae over long distances from San José Gulf into the adjacent San Matias Gulf.…”

Dead-Reckoning Animal Movements in R – A Reappraisal Using Gundog.Tracks

“…6, we illustrate the value that current correction, dependent on current information, brings to the VPC procedure if the derived track is to be superimposed on the environment. Here, one Magellanic penguin was dead-reckoned with and without tidal vector integration (instantaneous tidal currents were deduced from a 3-D numerical model validated in the region [137], at hourly, 1 km 2 grid nodes). Commuting speed was allocated Ultimately, the higher the frequency at which dead-reckoning is undertaken, the better the resolution and detail of reconstructed tracks.…”