title: The density-driven circulation of the coastal hypersaline system of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.
abstract: The coastal hypersaline system of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) in the dry season, was investigated for the first time using a 3D baroclinic model. In the shallow coastal embayments, salinity increases to c.a. 1‰ above typical offshore salinity (~35.4‰). This salinity increase is due to high evaporation rates and negligible freshwater input. The hypersalinity drifts longshore north-westward due to south-easterly trade winds and may eventually pass capes or headlands, e.g. Cape Cleveland, where the water is considerably deeper (c.a. 15m). Here, a pronounced thermohaline circulation is predicted to occur which flushes the hypersalinity offshore at velocities of up to 0.08m/s. Flushing time of the coastal embayments is around 2-3weeks. During the dry season early summer, the thermohaline circulation reduces and therefore, flushing times are predicted to be slight longer due to the reduced onshore-offshore density gradient compared to that in the dry season winter period.
authors.affiliation: College of Marine and Environmental Science, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia. Electronic address: gerry.salamena@my.jcu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Gerry G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Salamena
authors.affiliation: CIMA-EST/UAlg., Campus da Penha, P8000-117, Faro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Flávio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Marine Geophysics Laboratory, College of Science Technology and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Ridd
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D057894:Coral Reefs; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005618:Fresh Water; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D054712:Salinity; D012621:Seasons; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014919:Wind
keywords: Density-driven circulation; Flushing time; Great Barrier Reef; Hypersaline waters