Hydrodynamic variability in the Southern Bight of the North Sea in response to typical atmospheric and tidal regimes. Benefit of using a high resolution model
Hydrodynamic variability; Ocean modeling; Belgian Coastal Zone; Southern Bight of the North Sea
Abstract :
[en] In this paper, the hydrodynamics of the Southern Bight of the North Sea (SBNS) and in particular, the Belgian Coastal Zone (BCZ) is investigated on daily to seasonal time scales using a high resolution hydrodynamical model. The Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) is implemented over the SBNS with 5 km resolution and downscaled at 1 km resolution over the BCZ in a two-way nesting configuration run over a three years period (i.e. 2006–2008). The benefit of using a high resolution model over the BCZ is assessed through an extensive comparison of model results with data from satellite and in-situ fixed platforms as well as reference products available for the region. The validation exercise and the results analysis are conducted with a particular focus on hydrodynamic features that are expected to impact the sediment transport. We find that despite the validation procedure does not allow to clearly demonstrate better performance of the high resolution model compared to the coarse resolution model in terms of overtidal circulation, sea surface temperature (SST) and salinity (SSS), the high resolution model resolves additional details in the variability of residual circulation and Scheldt salinity plume dynamics. The analysis of the response of the simulated hydrodynamics to atmospheric regimes for neap and spring tide highlights the major role played by the wind direction on the averaged currents and plume extension. The strongest currents and minimum plume extension are obtained under southwestern winds and neap tide while when northeastern winds prevail, the plume extension is at its maximum and the circulation is the weakest. We show that while neap tides allow the establishment of streamlined circulation, the spring tides induce more turbulent circulation which can favor the retention of transported elements. This latter property could not be resolved with the 5 km resolution model.
Research center :
FOCUS - Freshwater and OCeanic science Unit of reSearch - ULiège
Disciplines :
Earth sciences & physical geography
Author, co-author :
Ivanov, Evgeny ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > MAST (Modeling for Aquatic Systems)
Capet, Arthur ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > MAST (Modeling for Aquatic Systems)
Barth, Alexander ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > GeoHydrodynamics and Environment Research (GHER)
Delhez, Eric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'aérospatiale et mécanique > Mathématiques générales
Soetaert, Karline
Grégoire, Marilaure ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > MAST (Modeling for Aquatic Systems)
Language :
English
Title :
Hydrodynamic variability in the Southern Bight of the North Sea in response to typical atmospheric and tidal regimes. Benefit of using a high resolution model
Publication date :
19 August 2020
Journal title :
Ocean Modelling
ISSN :
1463-5003
eISSN :
1463-5011
Publisher :
Elsevier, Netherlands
Volume :
154
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Name of the research project :
Face-It
Funders :
BELSPO - Politique scientifique fédérale [BE] F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE]
Aguiar, E., Mourre, B., Juza, M., Reyes, E., Hernández-Lasheras, J., Cutolo, E., Mason, E., Tintoré, J., Multi-platform model assessment in the Western Mediterranean Sea: impact of downscaling on the surface circulation and mesoscale activity. Ocean Dyn. 70:2 (2020), 273–288.
Allen, J.I., Holt, J.T., Blackford, J., Proctor, R., Error quantification of a high-resolution coupled hydrodynamic-ecosystem coastal-ocean model: Part 2. Chlorophyll-a, nutrients and SPM. J. Mar. Syst. 68:3–4 (2007), 381–404.
Allen, J.I., Somerfield, P.J., Gilbert, F.J., Quantifying uncertainty in high-resolution coupled hydrodynamic-ecosystem models. J. Mar. Syst. 64:1–4 (2007), 3–14.
Arndt, S., Lacroix, G., Gypens, N., Regnier, P., Lancelot, C., Nutrient dynamics and phytoplankton development along an estuary–coastal zone continuum: a model study. J. Mar. Syst. 84:3–4 (2011), 49–66.
Barth, A., Alvera-Azcárate, A., Weisberg, R.H., Benefit of nesting a regional model into a large-scale ocean model instead of climatology. Application to the West Florida Shelf. Cont. Shelf Res. 28:4–5 (2008), 561–573.
Barth, A., Alvera-Azcárate, A., Weisberg, R.H., A nested model study of the Loop Current generated variability and its impact on the West Florida Shelf. J. Geophys. Res.: Oceans, 113(C5), 2008.
Breton, S.P., Moe, G., Status, plans and technologies for offshore wind turbines in Europe and North America. Renew. Energy 34:3 (2009), 646–654.
Capet, A., Barth, A., Beckers, J.M., Marilaure, G., Interannual variability of Black Sea's hydrodynamics and connection to atmospheric patterns. Deep Sea Res. Part II: Top. Stud. Oceanogr. 77 (2012), 128–142.
Costanza, R., Andrade, F., Antunes, P., van den Belt, M., Boesch, D., Boersma, D., Catarino, F., Hanna, S., Limburg, K., Low, B., et al. Ecological economics and sustainable governance of the oceans. Ecol. Econ. 31:2 (1999), 171–187.
Davies, A., Furnes, G., Observed and computed M2 tidal currents in the North Sea. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 10:2 (1980), 237–257.
De Brye, B., de Brauwere, A., Gourgue, O., Kärnä, T., Lambrechts, J., Comblen, R., Deleersnijder, E., A finite-element, multi-scale model of the Scheldt tributaries, river, estuary and ROFI. Coast. Eng. 57:9 (2010), 850–863.
De Mesel, I., Kerckhof, F., Norro, A., Rumes, B., Degraer, S., Succession and seasonal dynamics of the epifauna community on offshore wind farm foundations and their role as stepping stones for non-indigenous species. Hydrobiologia 756:1 (2015), 37–50.
De Mesel, I., Kerckhof, F., Rumes, B., Norro, A., Houziaux, J.S., Degraer, S., Degraer, S., Brabant, R., Rumes, B., (eds.) Fouling Community on the Foundations of Wind Turbines and the Surrounding Scour Protection, 2013.
de Mey-Frémaux, P., Ayoub, N., Barth, A., Brewin, R., Charria, G., Campuzano, F., Ciavatta, S., Cirano, M., Edwards, C.A., Federico, I., et al. Model-observations synergy in the coastal ocean. Front. Mar. Sci, 2019.
Degraer, S., Brabant, R., Rumes, B., Vigin, L., Environmental Impacts of Offshore Wind Farms in the Belgian Part of the North Sea: Assessing and Managing Effect Spheres of Influence. 2018, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, OD Natural Environment, Marine.
Delhez, E., Reconnaissance of the general circulation of the North-Western European Continental Shelf by means of a three-dimensional turbulent closure model. Earth-Sci. Rev. 41:1–2 (1996), 3–29.
Delhez, E., Carabin, G., Integrated modelling of the Belgian coastal zone. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 53:4 (2001), 477–491.
Delhez, É.J., Damm, P., De Goede, E., De Kok, J., Dumas, F., Gerritsen, H., Jones, J., Ozer, J., Pohlmann, T., Rasch, P., et al. Variability of shelf-seas hydrodynamic models: lessons from the NOMADS2 project. J. Mar. Syst. 45:1–2 (2004), 39–53.
Egbert, G.D., Erofeeva, S.Y., Ray, R.D., Assimilation of altimetry data for nonlinear shallow-water tides: Quarter-diurnal tides of the Northwest European Shelf. Cont. Shelf Res. 30:6 (2010), 668–679.
Fairall, C., Bradley, E.F., Hare, J., Grachev, A., Edson, J., Bulk parameterization of air–sea fluxes: Updates and verification for the COARE algorithm. J. Clim. 16:4 (2003), 571–591.
Fettweis, M., Van den Eynde, D., The mud deposits and the high turbidity in the Belgian–Dutch coastal zone, southern bight of the North Sea. Cont. Shelf Res. 23:7 (2003), 669–691.
Flather, R., A tidal model of the north-west European continental shelf. Mem. Soc. R. Sci. Liege 10 (1976), 141–164.
Floeter, J., van Beusekom, J.E., Auch, D., Callies, U., Carpenter, J., Dudeck, T., Eberle, S., Eckhardt, A., Gloe, D., Hänselmann, K., et al. Pelagic effects of offshore wind farm foundations in the stratified North Sea. Prog. Oceanogr. 156 (2017), 154–173.
Haidvogel, D.B., Arango, H.G., Hedstrom, K., Beckmann, A., Malanotte-Rizzoli, P., Shchepetkin, A.F., Model evaluation experiments in the North Atlantic Basin: simulations in nonlinear terrain-following coordinates. Dyn. Atmos. Oceans 32:3–4 (2000), 239–281.
Hashemi, M.R., Neill, S.P., Davies, A.G., A coupled tide-wave model for the NW European shelf seas. Geophys. Astrophys. Fluid Dynam. 109:3 (2015), 234–253.
Holt, J.T., Allen, J.I., Proctor, R., Gilbert, F., Error quantification of a high-resolution coupled hydrodynamic–ecosystem coastal–ocean model: Part 1 model overview and assessment of the hydrodynamics. J. Mar. Syst. 57:1–2 (2005), 167–188.
IOC, I., BODC: Centenary Edition of the GEBCO Digital Atlas. 2003, British Oceanographic Data Centre, Liverpool, UK published on CD-ROM on behalf of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and the International Hydrographic Organization as part of the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans.
Kaldellis, J., Kapsali, M., Shifting towards offshore wind energy—Recent activity and future development. Energy Policy 53 (2013), 136–148.
Ketchen, D.J., Shook, C.L., The application of cluster analysis in strategic management research: an analysis and critique. Strateg. Manag. J. 17:6 (1996), 441–458.
Lacroix, G., Ruddick, K., Ozer, J., Lancelot, C., Modelling the impact of the Scheldt and Rhine/Meuse plumes on the salinity distribution in Belgian waters (southern North Sea). J. Sea Res. 52:3 (2004), 149–163.
Lacroix, G., Ruddick, K., Park, Y., Gypens, N., Lancelot, C., Validation of the 3D biogeochemical model MIRO&CO with field nutrient and phytoplankton data and MERIS-derived surface chlorophyll a images. J. Mar. Syst. 64:1–4 (2007), 66–88.
Laevastu, T., Surface water types of the North Sea and their characteristics. 1963.
Le Provost, C., Generation of overtides and compound tides. Tidal Hydrodyn., 1991, 269–295.
Lindström, G., Pers, C., Rosberg, J., Strömqvist, J., Arheimer, B., Development and testing of the HYPE (Hydrological Predictions for the Environment) water quality model for different spatial scales. Hydrol. Res. 41:3–4 (2010), 295–319.
Los, F., Villars, M., Van der Tol, M., A 3-dimensional primary production model (BLOOM/GEM) and its applications to the (southern) North Sea (coupled physical–chemical–ecological model). J. Mar. Syst. 74:1–2 (2008), 259–294.
Luyten, P.J., Jones, J.E., Proctor, R., A numerical study of the long-and short-term temperature variability and thermal circulation in the North Sea. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 33:1 (2003), 37–56.
Marchesiello, P., McWilliams, J.C., Shchepetkin, A., Open boundary conditions for long-term integration of regional oceanic models. Ocean Modell. 3:1–2 (2001), 1–20.
Martinho, A.S., Batteen, M.L., On reducing the slope parameter in terrain-following numerical ocean models. Ocean Model. 13:2 (2006), 166–175.
Mercier, C., Delhez, E., Diagnosis of the sediment transport in the Belgian Coastal Zone. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 74:4 (2007), 670–683.
Moll, A., Radach, G., Review of three-dimensional ecological modelling related to the North Sea shelf system: Part 1: models and their results. Prog. Oceanogr. 57:2 (2003), 175–217.
Pätsch, J., Burchard, H., Dieterich, C., Gräwe, U., Gröger, M., Mathis, M., Kapitza, H., Bersch, M., Moll, A., Pohlmann, T., et al. An evaluation of the North Sea circulation in global and regional models relevant for ecosystem simulations. Ocean Model. 116 (2017), 70–95.
Paulson, C.A., Simpson, J.J., Irradiance measurements in the upper ocean. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 7:6 (1977), 952–956.
Pohlmann, T., A meso-scale model of the central and southern North Sea: consequences of an improved resolution. Cont. Shelf Res. 26:19 (2006), 2367–2385.
Prandle, D., Co-tidal charts for the southern North Sea. Dtsch. Hydrografische Z. 33:2 (1980), 68–81.
Richardson, A., Risien, C., Shillington, F., Using self-organizing maps to identify patterns in satellite imagery. Prog. Oceanogr. 59:2–3 (2003), 223–239.
Salomon, J., Breton, M., Guegueniat, P., Computed residual flow-through the dover strait. Oceanol. Acta 16:5–6 (1993), 449–455.
Shchepetkin, A.F., McWilliams, J.C., The regional oceanic modeling system (ROMS): a split-explicit, free-surface, topography-following-coordinate oceanic model. Ocean Modell. 9:4 (2005), 347–404.
Slavik, K., Lemmen, C., Zhang, W., Kerimoglu, O., Klingbeil, K., Wirtz, K.W., The large-scale impact of offshore wind farm structures on pelagic primary productivity in the southern North Sea. Hydrobiologia, 2018, 1–19.
Smolarkiewicz, P.K., Margolin, L.G., MPDATA: A finite-difference solver for geophysical flows. J. Comput. Phys. 140:2 (1998), 459–480.
Stanev, E.V., Al-Nadhairi, R., Staneva, J., Schulz-Stellenfleth, J., Valle-Levinson, A., Tidal wave transformations in the German Bight. Ocean Dyn. 64:7 (2014), 951–968.
Stanev, E.V., Schulz-Stellenfleth, J., Staneva, J., Grayek, S., Grashorn, S., Behrens, A., Koch, W., Pein, J., Ocean forecasting for the German Bight: from regional to coastal scales. Ocean Sci., 12(5), 2016, 1105.
Sündermann, J., Pohlmann, T., A brief analysis of North Sea physics. Oceanologia 53:3 (2011), 663–689.
Urrego-Blanco, J., Sheng, J., Dupont, F., Performance of one-way and two-way nesting techniques using the shelf circulation modelling system for the eastern canadian shelf. Atmos.-Ocean 54:1 (2016), 75–92.
Van den Eynde, D., Baeye, M., Brabant, R., Fettweis, M., Francken, F., Haerens, P., Mathys, M., Sas, M., Van Lancker, V., All quiet on the sea bottom front? Lessons from the morphodynamic monitoring. Offshore Wind Farms in the Belgian part of the North Sea: Heading for an Understanding of Environmental Impacts, Vol. 3547, 2013, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Management Unit of the North Sea Mathematical Models, Marine Ecosystem Management Unit, Brussels.
Van der Molen, J., Smith, H.C., Lepper, P., Limpenny, S., Rees, J., Predicting the large-scale consequences of offshore wind turbine array development on a North Sea ecosystem. Cont. Shelf Res. 85 (2014), 60–72.
Wakelin, S., While, J., King, R., O'Dea, E., Holt, J., Furner, R., Siddorn, J., Martin, M., McEwan, R., Blockley, E., et al. Quality information document: North West European shelf reanalysis northwestshelf_reanalysis_phys_004_009 and northwestshelf_reanalysis_bio_004_011. 2015 EU Copernicus Marine Service.
Warner, J.C., Armstrong, B., He, R., Zambon, J.B., Development of a coupled ocean–atmosphere–wave–sediment transport (COAWST) modeling system. Ocean Modell. 35:3 (2010), 230–244.
Warner, J.C., Defne, Z., Haas, K., Arango, H.G., A wetting and drying scheme for ROMS. Comput. Geosci. 58 (2013), 54–61.
Warner, J.C., Sherwood, C.R., Arango, H.G., Signell, R.P., Performance of four turbulence closure models implemented using a generic length scale method. Ocean Model. 8:1–2 (2005), 81–113.