Computing complex for modeling the Black Sea

Abstract

This paper presents a description of a computing complex and results of its use for modeling the Black Sea. The complex is created on the basis of a circulation model and contains blocks of hydrodynamics, energy, and pollutant transport. A numerical experiment is carried out with the Skiron reanalysis data of 2016 as atmospheric forcing. Fields of sea level, velocities of currents, temperature, and salinity are calculated. Comparison of the simulated temperature, salinity, and velocity with contact observations shows good qualitative and quantitative agreement with the in-situ data. The seasonal variability of a basin-scale circulation is reproduced in the velocity field. Mesoscale eddies are reconstructed, and an analysis of the mean current energy and the eddy energy is performed. The most intensive mesoscale variability was observed near the Crimean and Turkish coasts in 2016. The mean current kinetic energy is decreasing during the year, and the formation of mesoscale eddies is associated with baroclinic instability. A test calculation of the radioactive beryllium distribution is also carried out in this experiment. Comparison with real measurements shows that the complex simulates pollutant transport with high degree of accuracy.