Simulation of temperature and currents in Placentia Bay

Ma, Zhimin (2010) Simulation of temperature and currents in Placentia Bay. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

A three-dimensional circulation model is applied to better understand the circulation and physical processes in Placentia Bay. The model is based on the finite-volume coastal ocean model (FVCOM) with the vertical eddy viscosity calculated from a level 2.5 revised turbulence closure scheme with 21 unequally spaced vertical levels. The model is forced at the lateral open boundaries with 5 tidal constituents and at the surface with wind and heat flux based on meteorological observations at Argentia. The open boundary temperature and salinity and non-tidal sea level are derived from a larger-scale shelf model. Temperature and currents are hindcast for spring 1999. Simulated tidal elevations agree well with tide-gauge data. The Root Mean Square Difference of the model tidal currents was 40% relative to observations. The model temperature and non-tidal currents show reasonable agreement with moored measurements. The model simulates many features of the Bay, including the seasonal evolution of stratification, cyclonic circulation in the out bay and late-spring upwelling on the western side of the outer bay.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
URI: http://research.library.mun.ca/id/eprint/8959
Item ID: 8959
Additional Information: Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-90)
Department(s): Science, Faculty of > Physics and Physical Oceanography
Date: 2010
Date Type: Submission
Geographic Location: Canada--Newfoundland and Labrador--Placentia Bay
Library of Congress Subject Heading: Ocean circulation--Newfoundland and Labrador--Placentia Bay--Computer simulation; Ocean currents--Newfoundland and Labrador--Placentia Bay--Computer simulation; Ocean temperature--Newfoundland and Labrador--Placentia Bay--Computer simulation

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