Numerical Simulation of Currents and Density in a Bay Considering Variable Conditions of Outer Ocean

Abstract

When the phenomena in a bay are calculated, the open boundary is often located around the mouth of the bay. On the other hand, the effect of physical conditions of outer ocean is essential for such phenomena as thermohaline front or intrusion of warm water mass into the bay. However, it is difficult to elucidate the mechanism of such phenomena if the constant conditions are applied for the open boundary. In the present study, the influences of outer ocean state on the phenomena in the bay were investigated by numerical simulations. At first, the effects of fresh water discharge, surface cooling and outer ocean condition on the structure of thermohaline front was examined for an idealized model basin. Next, the numerical simulations were carried out for Tokyo Bay and the influence of water temperature distribution of Sagami bay was discussed. In the calculation considering the effects of outer bay region, the satellite remote sensing data was used for determining the sea surface temperature.