Shallow Water Dynamics in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman

Blain, Cheryl A

Shallow Water Dynamics in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman

1998

Blain, Cheryl A

The development of a three-dimensional, high resolution nowcast/forecast system for the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman which encompasses scales of 10 km or less when warranted, using the most advanced finite element coastal hydrodynamic models. The modeled dynamics are to include tidal and wind-driven flow, buoyancy forcing, surface heat flux, river inflow, and turbulent mixing processes. A nowcast/forecast system for the Arabian Gulf and connecting waters whose computational model reproduces the complex, 3-D circulation and mixing patterns in the region over seasonal, tidal, subtidal, and storm event time scales. Dynamical processes to consider include the three dominant external forcings in the region, a strong evaporative flux, seasonal wind forcing, and freshwater river discharge and their influence on the underlying thermohaline-driven current structure. Three-dimensional transport of mass, salt and heat through the Strait of Hormuz and the role of the Strait in the dynamic coupling of the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman basins are other important aspects of the circulation dynamics. Another aim of this study is to demonstrate the utility of the finite element approach using state-of-the-art, physically advanced, 3-D numerical models. Advantages of the unstructured grid discretization are evident in the placement of open ocean boundaries, localized resolution refinement, and representation of bathymetric and shoreline complexities. A study of this scope, encompassing the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman containing localized mesh refinements of less than 5 km, is unprecedented.

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