Publications des scientifiques de l'IRD

Chevane C. M., Penven Pierrick, Nehama F. P. J., Reason C. J. C. (2016). Modelling the tides and their impacts on the vertical stratification over the Sofala Bank, Mozambique. African Journal of Marine Science, 38 (4), p. 465-479. ISSN 1814-232X.

Titre du document
Modelling the tides and their impacts on the vertical stratification over the Sofala Bank, Mozambique
Année de publication
2016
Type de document
Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000391853200002
Auteurs
Chevane C. M., Penven Pierrick, Nehama F. P. J., Reason C. J. C.
Source
African Journal of Marine Science, 2016, 38 (4), p. 465-479 ISSN 1814-232X
The Sofala Bank, a wide shelf located along the central coast of Mozambique, hosts tides with high amplitudes. The Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS) was used to analyse the tidal currents on the bank and to investigate their effects on the stratification and generation of tidal fronts. During spring tides, barotropic tidal currents with maximum values ranging from 40 cm s(-1) to 70 cm s(-1) are found on the central bank. The major axis of the tidal ellipses for M-2 and S-2 follow a cross-shelf direction with mainly anticlockwise rotation. Similar to observations, three distinct regimes occur: (i) a warm well-mixed region on the inner shelf where the depths are < 30 m; (ii) a well-mixed colder region above the shelf edge; and (iii) a stratified region offshore. The model shows that the tides lead to cooling where two criteria are satisfied: the Simpson and Hunter parameter log(10)(h/U-3) < 3.2 and the depth h > 30 m. The shelf edge of the bank is important for internal tide generation. Two frontal structures result, one offshore between cooler mixed waters and warmer stratified waters and the other in shallow inshore waters, between cooler mixed waters and solar heated mixed waters.
Plan de classement
Limnologie physique / Océanographie physique [032]
Description Géographique
MOZAMBIQUE
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010068867]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010068867
Contact