High-resolution model studies of the circulation in coastal areas of the Tyrrhenian Sea (including the Gulf of Naples)

Abstract

The main aim of this PhD research is to study some fundamental aspects of the circulation in a wide South Tyrrhenian coastal area that includes the Gulf of Naples. The primitive equation sigma-coordinate Princeton Ocean Model (POM) has been implemented with high-resolution in that area, and was nested with a circulation model of the whole Tyrrhenian Sea. Modeling the wind-driven circulation was the main task of our study. Surface ECMWF analysis wind data have been used throughout, but also wind data obtained from X-band SAR data have been used, showing that they provide a potentially valuable tool for improving coastal circulation modeling. Circulation scenarios typical of different seasons have been simulated. In two cases experimental validation has been successfully performed.