Circulation and water mass properties in the Northeastern Levantine
Abstract
PROJECT ABSTRACT Short Work Statement The dynamics of the ocean circulation in the northeastern Levantine Sea will be studied using in-situ and satellite observations in concert with numerical simulations. The in-situ observations will be mainly provided by Lagrangian drifters, profiling floats and gliders. The satellite data will include images of sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll (<Chl>) concentration, and altimetry products (Absolute Dynamic Topography – ADT). Drifters will measure currents in the near-surface mixed-layer, whereas floats and gliders will be used to measure subsurface currents and profiles of physical and biogeochemical parameters. The monitoring of the circulation and water mass properties in the northeastern Levantine Basin, with main focus on the area between Cyprus, Lebanon and Syria where mesoscale and subbasin scale activity is predominant, is planned for a full year in order to investigate seasonal variability and the possible mechanisms of creation, interaction and dissipation of the major eddies. Numerical simulations of the northeastern Levantine will be performed to understand better its dynamics and forecast its temporal evolution. The impact of the assimilation of the float/glider data in the model will also be assessed. Overall Merits The environmental knowledge of the northeastern Levantine Sea is important for scientific (influence of major eddies on the marine ecosystem) and economical (local fisheries, offshore hydrocarbons) reasons. In addition, measurements in the coastal waters off Lebanon and Syria are crucial for current and future military operations. For instance, an accurate description of the eddy variability of the surface currents is essential for optimizing Navy missions. The understanding of the coastal circulation dynamics based upon adequate measurements and numerical models is crucial to built data bases and to develop operational products useful for defense-related operations. Approach Surface drifters and profiling floats will be deployed at key locations south of Cyprus and west of Lebanon in summer 2015 and winter 2016. After an initial broad scale survey (June 2015), gliders will be used to sample the area between Cyprus, Syria and Lebanon with special focus on the Shikmona Eddy in summer 2015 (July/August) and winter 2016 (February/March). The drifter, float and glider data will be analyzed in conjunction satellite images of SST, <Chl> and ADT. Numerical simulations will be performed with the Princeton Ocean Model (POM) in which the float/glider data will be assimilated. Objective The main objective is to investigate the dynamics of the northeastern Levantine Sea, a region strongly dominated by strong mesoscale and sub-basin scale eddies and a coastal current. Specific goals are: 1. to construct unbiased surface circulation maps; 2. to describe the 3D structures of the main eddies and their temporal evolution; 3. to simulate these dynamics with a numerical model in diagnostic and forecasting modes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512459
Entities
People
- Pierre-Marie Poulain
Organizations
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy