ADCP Observations of the Western Adriatic Slope Current During Winter of 2001
Abstract
Data from an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) mooring maintained during the winter of 2001 in 57 m of water near Senigallis, Italy are used to describe the winter conditions of the Western Adriatic Current in the northern Adriatic Sea. Wind and water temperature measurements from the Acqua Alta tower in 19 m water depth off Venice and winds from a 4-km resolution reanalysis model, COAMPS, are used to interpret the ADCP data, especially with respect to currents generated by bora winds. Both mean currents and fluctuations about the means were highly barotropic during the winter. Southeastward (along-shore) mean currents increased slightly with depth between 7 and 47 m following a nearly linear trend. Offshore (cross-slope) mean currents only increased (2.0 cm/s) deep in the water column, between 35 and 51 m. Current variability was dominated by 4 bursts of currents in which flow toward the southeast greatly increased. These bursts followed bora winds, the timing of which was identified by measured winds at the Acqua Alta tower. Depth-averaged, de-tided currents exceeded 30 cm/s during all 4 events, and reached 45 cm/s during one event. Correlations between these along-shore currents and simulated wind stress from the COAMPS model were calculated over the whole north Adriatic. Bottom water at the mooring was too warm for it to have been North Adriatic Dense Water, except perhaps for a brief pulse of cold water associated with the third current burst on April 1st.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 23, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA448912
Entities
People
- Henry T. Perkins
- James D. Doyle
- Jeffrey W. Book
- Julie Pullen
- Luigi Cavaleri
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory