@article{fdi:010089579,
  title = {{M}odeling seasonal salinity variations in a large {W}est {A}frican lagoon ({N}okou{\'e}, {B}enin) : major drivers and mechanisms},
  author = {{O}kpeitcha, {O}. {V}. and {C}haigneau, {A}lexis and {M}orel, {Y}. and {D}uhaut, {T}. and {M}arsaleix, {P}. and {R}etif, {F}. and {H}onfo, {J}. and {S}tieglitz, {T}homas and {S}ohou, {Z}. and {S}intondji, {L}. {O}. and {M}ama, {D}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{N}okoue ' lagoon is a shallow water body connected to the {G}ulf of {G}uinea through the long and narrow {C}otonou channel. {T}he salinity dynamics in the lagoon is investigated using the 3{D} {SYMPHONIE} numerical model. {W}e first validate the model using salinity and water level data. {S}imulated and observed salinity and water level variations compare well demonstrating that the reference model simulation correctly reproduces the dynamics of the lagoon. {B}y performing several simulations with varying external forcings and freshwater fluxes, the main drivers of salinity variability in the lagoon are identified. {W}e first focus on the salinization phase of the lagoon at the end of the tropical wet season (between {N}ovember and {F}ebruary), and we investigate the total change in salinity and the salt fluxes involved in these variations. {T}he high frequency salt fluxes associated with the ocean tide import salt from the ocean via the {C}otonou channel to the south of the lagoon. {B}aroclinic fluxes, associated with the influence of salt on density and associated pressure gradient, increase this local salinity input in the south, but also play a major role in the dispersion of salt throughout the lagoon. {T}wo rivers provide a permanent freshwater inflow in the north/ northeast of the lagoon that limits the salinization of the whole lagoon. {F}inally, windgenerated high frequency recirculation, partially prevents the salinisation of the {N}orth-{E}ast of the lagoon. {D}uring the desalinization period (between {M}ay and {S}eptember), the lagoon salinity variations are highly sensitive to the magnitude of river inflow. {A}t a constant river flux rate, the lagoon attains an equilibrium state in salinity. {A}s this equilibrium is reached, both the overall salinity level and the time needed to achieve it decrease notably with higher fluxes. {B}eyond 100 m3 s-1, only a small area near the {C}otonou channel retains higher salinity, while surpassing 500 m3 s-1 results in complete desalination of the entire {N}okoue ' lagoon.},
  keywords = {{L}agoon ; {S}alinity variability ; {N}umerical model ; {P}hysical processes ; {BENIN}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{R}egional {S}tudies in {M}arine {S}cience},
  volume = {69},
  numero = {},
  pages = {103330 [13 p.]},
  ISSN = {2352-4855},
  year = {2024},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.rsma.2023.103330},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010089579},
}