Revue de l'hydrodynamique au large des côtes tunisiennes. | Review of the hydrodynamics off the Tunisian coasts

Le mode de fonctionnement de la Mediterranee est en partie elucide grace a un nombre important de travaux mettant en uvre diverses techniques complementaires, comme l'observation in-situ, l'observation satellitaire, la modelisation physique et numerique. En revanche, les caracteristiques hydrodynamiques de la circulation des eaux au large des cotes tunisiennes demeurent meconnues. Une serie d'etude detaillees seraient tres utile sur les plans scientifique, economique et strategique compte-tenu de l'incidence reconnue des processus physiques sur de nombreux phenomenes biologiques, sedimentaires et autres. Apres avoir rappele quelques traits remarquables de l'oceanographie physique de la Mediterranee, nous presentons quelques particularites des trois principales entites qui constituent les eaux territoriales tunisiennes a savoir les cotes nord et les golfes de Hammamet et Gabes. Une strategie d'action a entreprendre est suggeree pour clarifier les conditions hydrodynamiques et meteo-oceaniques prevalant le long des cotes tunisiennes.

How the Mediterranean works is partly understood following the large number of work that involve different but complementary techniques. Those techniques indeed range from in-situ and satellite observations to physical and numerical model simulation. However, water characteristics and circulation in some coastal regions are still poorly known, in particular, the hydrodynamical characteristics of water circulation off the Tunisian coasts. Detailed studies will generate benefits on scientifical, economical and strategical plans due to strong impact that physical processes have on a large number of biological, sedimentological and other phenomena. We first recall the main features of water characteristics and circulation in the Mediterranean. We then present some characteristics inherent to the three principal water bodies forming the tunisian territorial waters: the North coast and the Gulfs of Hammamet and Gabes. A plan of action is suggested to clarify hydrodynamical water characteristics and ocean-atmosphere interactions along the Tunisian coasts.

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