Abstract
Abstract. The dominant circulation pattern of İzmir Bay on the Aegean Sea coast of Turkey is studied taking into consideration the influence of wind and thermohaline forces. İzmir Bay is discussed by subdividing the bay into outer, middle and inner areas. Wind is the most important driving force in the İzmir coastal area. There are also thermohaline forces due to the existence of water types of different physical properties in the bay. In contrast to the two-layer stratification during summer, a homogeneous water column exists in winter. The free surface version of the Princeton model (Killworth's 3-D general circulation model) is applied, with the input data obtained through the measurements made by the research vessel K. Piri Reis. As a result of the simulations with artificial wind, the strong consistent wind generates circulation patterns independent of the seasonal stratification in the bay. Wind-driven circulation causes cyclonic or anticyclonic movements in the middle bay where the distinct İzmir Bay Water (IBW) forms. Cyclonic movement takes place under the influence of southerly and westerly winds. On the other hand, northerly and easterly winds cause an anticyclonic movement in the middle bay. The outer and inner bay also have the wind-driven recirculation patterns expected.
Highlights
The water masses of shallow bays such asIzmir Bay have impacts on the Aegean Sea through temperature or saltcontrolled dense water cascading
The effect of shallowing caused by the previous Gediz River bed on the water motion in the inner bay section ofIzmir Bay has been investigated by Karahan (2002) and the results have been discussed for various meteorological conditions
Along the basin width (Fig. 4 upper panel). This means that the dense Izmir Bay Water (IBW) tends to flow along the east coast towards the Aegean Sea and the less dense Aegean Sea Water (ASW) that enters near Karaburun flows through the Mordogan Passage into the middle bay
Summary
The water masses of shallow bays such asIzmir Bay have impacts on the Aegean Sea through temperature or saltcontrolled dense water cascading. The effect of shallowing caused by the previous Gediz River bed on the water motion in the inner bay section ofIzmir Bay has been investigated by Karahan (2002) and the results have been discussed for various meteorological conditions He determined that the shallowing in the middle bay entrance has an effect on the water input and output of the outer bay with the aid of a three-dimensional finite difference hydrodynamics model. Depending on the wind conditions and stratification in the water column, the current from the Karaburun area carries fish eggs and larvae originating in the Mediterranean into the small Gülbahçe Bay through the Mordogan Passage and even further to the middle bay This feature adds to the diversity of marine life, as can be observed from the various larvae found in Gülbahçe Bay (Sayın and Öztürk, 2006). The current system in the bay has been examined by
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