Meteorologically-driven circulation and flushing times of the Bay of Algeciras, Strait of Gibraltar.
A primitive-equation model has been used to investigate the meteorologically-driven circulation of the Bay of Algeciras. It is shown that the mean circulation of Atlantic Water (AW) is characterized by an anticyclonic cell, while Mediterranean Water (MW) follows a preferred cyclonic pathway. Meteorological forcing distorts substantially the AW mean circulation pattern, and only modulates that of the MW. Winds drive a vertical circulation cell in the Atlantic layer consistent with Ekman dynamics, whereas the horizontal circulation pattern is markedly dependent on the swift Atlantic jet entering the Mediterranean and changes from clearly anticyclonic to cyclonic as the jet separates or approaches the strait's northern shoreline. This occurs through atmospheric pressure-driven acceleration/deceleration of the jet, in agreement with internal hydraulics theory predictions. It is also found that the renewal of AW is largely modulated by tides, with meteorological forcing playing a secondary role. The opposite applies to the renewal of MW.
Physical Oceanography Group, University of Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain. Electronic address: jcsanchez@ctima.uma.es.
José C
JC
Sánchez-Garrido
Physical Oceanography Group, University of Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
Jesús García
JG
Lafuente
Physical Oceanography Group, University of Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
Simone
S
Sammartino
Physical Oceanography Group, University of Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
Cristina
C
Naranjo
Autoridad Portuaria Bahía de Algeciras, Avda. de la Hispanidad 2, 11207 Algeciras, Cádiz, Spain.
Francisco J
FJ
de los Santos
Puertos del Estado, Avda. del Partenón 10, 28042 Madrid, Spain.
Enrique
E
Álvarez Fanjul
D061006:Bays / Q000737:chemistry*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005876:Gibraltar; D008685:Meteorological Concepts; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014872:Water Movements
Bay of Algeciras; MITgcm; Tidal flushing; Wind-driven circulation; e-Flushing time