Numerical experiment of stratification induced by diurnal solar heating over the Louisiana shelf

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-3-2017

Abstract

The effect of diurnal solar heating on the stratification of waters over the Louisiana shelf was examined using the 3-dimensional Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM). The simulation was for June 2009 to examine the effects of solar heating on summertime stratification. The input components of solar radiation to the FVCOM model were calculated using available relationships for shortwave, longwave, latent heat, and sensible heat radiation and using Metocean field data obtained from WAVCIS stations. Simulation results showed a continuous increase in water temperature and stratification during June 2009 with daily fluctuations of sea surface temperature as large as 0.9 °C. The corresponding stratification strengthening was quantified by an increase in the gradient Richardson number and buoyancy frequency. Development of shelf-wide stratification coincided with a significant decline in bottom water oxygen concentration. Our results demonstrate how, under certain conditions, solar heating can significantly contribute to vertical stratification and may also create conditions conducive to the formation and persistence of hypoxia.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Modeling Coastal Hypoxia Numerical Simulations of Patterns Controls and Effects of Dissolved Oxygen Dynamics

First Page

1

Last Page

22

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