Open AccessTidal currents in the northwestern Adriatic: High‐frequency radio observations and numerical model predictions
Author(s) -
Chavanne C.,
Janeković I.,
Flament P.,
Poulain P.M.,
Kuzmić M.,
Gurgel K.W.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: oceans
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2006jc003523
Subject(s) - geology , amplitude , structural basin , current (fluid) , tidal current , oceanography , geomorphology , physics , quantum mechanics
A 2‐year deployment of high‐frequency radio current meters along the Italian coast of the northwestern Adriatic is used to characterize the surface tidal currents. In the middle of the basin, the M 2 and K 1 currents oscillate along the basin axis, but become more circular toward the Italian coast. Comparisons with a 3‐D finite‐element nonlinear numerical model of the tides show a good agreement for phases in the middle of the basin, although modeled currents amplitudes are overestimated. However, modeled phases lag observed phases by up to 50° (1.7 hours) for M 2 and 100° (6.7 hours) for K 1 , and modeled amplitudes are underestimated, in a 10–20 km wide strip along the Italian coast. This shallow (< 30 m deep) region is stratified by low‐salinity surface water from the Po, and laterally sheared by the Western Adriatic Current, both absent from the model but possibly affecting tidal propagation. The model may also incompletely parameterize the combined effects of bottom friction and vertical mixing of momentum.