The circulation characteristics of the Ligurian-Provençal Basin are examined for the purpose of evaluating the possible forcings and the principal oscillations of the basin circulation. A critical review of the literature and available data (including model- simulation) indicates that the atmospheric-climatic conditions in winter are the principal factor conditioning the basin circulation. According to the field observations, these conditions generate different thermohaline properties in the Ligurian-Provençal Basin and the adjacent Tyrrhenian Sea. The gradient thus generated induces a winter outflow of warmer Tyrrhenian water through the Corsica Channel and then a seasonal oscillation of the Ligurian-Provençal Current. Though less evident, another seasonal oscillation seems to be present in the Ligurian-Provençal current system. This is visible along the western side of Corsica where it is shown as a progressive increase of the current velocity that reaches a maximum in early summer. This corresponds to the seasonal increase of the current indicated by a numerical model driven by deep water formation. We therefore suggest that this oscillation might represent the signal of the deep water formation on the boundary circulation.
The Seasonal and Interannual Variability in the Ligurian-Povencal Basin
GP Gasparini;S Sparnocchia
1994
Abstract
The circulation characteristics of the Ligurian-Provençal Basin are examined for the purpose of evaluating the possible forcings and the principal oscillations of the basin circulation. A critical review of the literature and available data (including model- simulation) indicates that the atmospheric-climatic conditions in winter are the principal factor conditioning the basin circulation. According to the field observations, these conditions generate different thermohaline properties in the Ligurian-Provençal Basin and the adjacent Tyrrhenian Sea. The gradient thus generated induces a winter outflow of warmer Tyrrhenian water through the Corsica Channel and then a seasonal oscillation of the Ligurian-Provençal Current. Though less evident, another seasonal oscillation seems to be present in the Ligurian-Provençal current system. This is visible along the western side of Corsica where it is shown as a progressive increase of the current velocity that reaches a maximum in early summer. This corresponds to the seasonal increase of the current indicated by a numerical model driven by deep water formation. We therefore suggest that this oscillation might represent the signal of the deep water formation on the boundary circulation.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.