THE PLUME OF THE RHONE - NUMERICAL-SIMULATION AND REMOTE-SENSING

Authors
ESTOURNEL C KONDRACHOFF V MARSALEIX P VEHIL R
Citation
C. Estournel et al., THE PLUME OF THE RHONE - NUMERICAL-SIMULATION AND REMOTE-SENSING, Continental shelf research, 17(8), 1997, pp. 899
Citations number
40
Categorie Soggetti
Oceanografhy
Journal title
Continental shelf research → ACNP
ISSN journal
02784343
Volume
17
Issue
8
Year of publication
1997
Database
ISI
SICI code
0278-4343(1997)17:8<899:TPOTR->2.0.ZU;2-9
Abstract
The plume of the Rhone (western Mediterranean) is studied with the hel p of a three-dimensional ocean model using primitive equations. Partic ular attention is paid to the wind forcing. Three simulations of reali stic cases, using wind and river discharge measurements, are described . Satellite observations of the plume make it possible to assess the q uality of the numerical simulation in each case. The analysis of circu lation enables an evaluation of the characteristic time scales of defo rmations in the plume during changes in wind conditions and also highl ights the high sensitivity of the plume to the surrounding circulation , dominated by coastal currents associated with upwelling and downwell ing motions induced by the northwest and southeast winds. (C) 1997 Els evier Science Ltd.