@article{fdi:010086349,
  title = {{T}he {N}atal {B}ight {C}oastal {C}ounter-{C}urrent : a modeling study},
  author = {{H}eye, {S}. and {K}rug, {M}. and {P}enven, {P}ierrick and {H}art-{D}avis, {M}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{O}utput from a high-resolution ocean model, a wind reanalysis and a particle tracking tool are used to improve our understanding of the shelf circulation in an embayment off {S}outh {A}frica's east coast, known as the {K}wa{Z}ulu-{N}atal {B}ight. {T}his region spans across roughly 140 km of coastline and is located between 29 degrees {S} and 30 degrees {S}. {I}t is influenced by the strong, south-westward flowing {A}gulhas {C}urrent on its offshore edge, while its shelf is dominated by weak and variable currents. {O}n the {K}wa{Z}ulu-{N}atal {B}ight's shelf, realistic high-resolution model simulations indicate the presence of a mean north-eastward flow: the {N}atal {B}ight {C}oastal {C}ounter-{C}urrent. {T}he mean surface circulation depicts a {N}atal {B}ight {C}oastal {C}ounter {C}urrent stretching along the 50 m isobath from the southern to the northern section of the {K}wa{Z}ulu-{N}atal {B}ight while progressively becoming narrower and weaker northwards. {T}he mean vertical structure of this counter current extends throughout the water column and at its origin, it almost connects with the {A}gulhas {U}ndercurrent. {I}n this region, the {N}atal {B}ight {C}oastal {C}ounter-{C}urrent is about 20 km wide and has an average speed of 20 cm/s at its core, which may exceed 100 cm/ s during individual events. {T}he passage of southward propagating anticyclonic eddies offshore of the {A}gulhas {C}urrent are associated with a southward flow along the southern {K}wa{Z}ulu-{N}atal {B}ight region and the inter-ruption of the otherwise north-eastward shelf currents. {W}hile the circulation in the {K}wa{Z}ulu-{N}atal {B}ight is primarily driven by perturbations at the {A}gulhas {C}urrent front, there is also some indication of a direct wind -driven influence in coastal waters, inshore of the 50 m isobath and north of 29.5 degrees {S}. {V}irtual particle tracking experiments show that the {N}atal {B}ight {C}oastal {C}ounter {C}urrent may increase connectivity between {M}arine {P}rotected {A}reas within the {K}wa{Z}ulu-{N}atal {B}ight, where the current greatly increases the water retention. {T}his may trap nutrients from coastal origins on the shelf, together with any suspended particles such as larvae. {T}herefore, the {N}atal {B}ight {C}oastal {C}ounter-{C}urrent has the potential to increase the suitability of this habitat for larval settlement.},
  keywords = {{N}atal {B}ight {C}oastal {C}ounter -{C}urrent ; {H}igh -resolution ocean model ; {MPA} connectivity ; {A}gulhas {C}urrent ; {D}urban {E}ddy ; {K}wa{Z}ulu-{N}atal {B}ight ; {AFRIQUE} {DU} {SUD} ; {OCEAN} {INDIEN} ; {KWAZULU} {NATAL} ; {AIGUILLES} {COURANT}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{C}ontinental {S}helf {R}esearch},
  volume = {249},
  numero = {},
  pages = {104852 [14 ]},
  ISSN = {0278-4343},
  year = {2022},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.csr.2022.104852},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010086349},
}