Abstract
This work presents a simple two-layer model for the water exchange through the Strait of Gibraltar. The model is inspired by the work of Bormans and Garrett (1989) and focus on the case of submaximal exchange with an unique hydraulic control at the section of minimum cross-area. The first part describes the model and justifies the assumed simplifications. Some aspects regarding its performance are also analysed. The second part applies the model to interpret the seasonal signals in the exchanged flows that were observed during the Canary Islands Azores Gibraltar Observations (CANIGO) project. These signals are compatible with submaximal exchange, which suggests that the oceanographic conditions in the nearby Alboran Sea are able to influence the exchange via interface depth variations.
Highlights
The Strait of Gibraltar is the only natural connection between the Mediterranean Sea and the open oceans
The mean exchange through the Strait of Gibraltar is density driven in response to this large evaporation, with Atlantic water flowing into the Mediterranean
While BG89 restrict to the analysis of the maximal and marginally submaximal situations, we explore the strictly submaximal solutions
Summary
Departamento de Física Aplicada II, Universidad de Málaga, Campus Teatinos, 29071 Málaga, Spain. SUMMARY: This work presents a simple two-layer model for the water exchange through the Strait of Gibraltar. The model is inspired by the work of Bormans and Garrett (1989) and focus on the case of submaximal exchange with an unique hydraulic control at the section of minimum cross-area. The second part applies the model to interpret the seasonal signals in the exchanged flows that were observed during the Canary Islands Azores Gibraltar Observations (CANIGO) project. These signals are compatible with submaximal exchange, which suggests that the oceanographic conditions in the nearby Alboran Sea are able to influence the exchange via interface depth variations
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