d region, which is of relevance to Undersea Warfare.

Thesis (M. S.)--Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. / Committee Chair: Jean Lynch-Stieglitz; Committee Co-Chair: Emanuele Di Lorenzo; Committee Member: Annalisa Bracco; Committee Member: Robert Black

Thesis (MTech (Oceanography))Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010 / The current dynamics along the Tsitsikamma coast is described from a combination of acoustic current measurements. satellite-tracked surface drifters and underwater temperature recordings made between November 2006 and March 2008. The Tsitsikamma coast is largely a Marine Protected Area (MPA) that protects a rich marine biodiversity. The nearshore currents are important in the dispersal of eggs and larvae of many marine species. including the paralarvae of the commercially caught chokka squid. LoNgo reynaudii. Changes in the environment, including the currents. can affect the successful recruitment of chokka squid, and can bring about large annual fluctuations in biomass that creates economic uncertainty in the squid fishery. Results confirm the existence of a predominantly alongshore current off the Tsitsikamma coast. At Middelbank eastward flow was slightly dominant, with a percentage occurrence of 58% vs. 41% westward flow near the surface. The percentage eastward flow decreased with depth, with 41% vs. 58% westward flow near the seabed. At Thyspunt westward and eastward flow occurred at near equal percentages. but westward flow was slightly dominant throughout the water column. The alongshore current was strongest near the surface during eastward flow (maximum = 141 crn.s1: average = 27 crn.s '). while westward surface currents were weaker (maximum velocity = 78 cm.s1: average = 19 crn.s1). Current speed generally decreased with depth and opposing surface and bottom currents, associated with a thermal stratified water column, were occasionally recorded. The nearshore flow regime was characterised by frequent barotropic alongshore reversals that occurred year round. An increase in strong eastward episodes, and opposing surface and bottom currents during spring and summer months have implications for the dispersal of squid paralarvae during the summer and winter spawning seasons. In summer, the combination of strong eastward pulses in the current and upwelling at the capes favoured dispersal onto the midshelf of the Agulhas Bank. In winter, alongshore oscillations without the offshore displacement associated with upwelling. restricted offshore dispersal which caused surface particles to be retained inshore. Drifter trajectories show that both the eastward and westward nearshore current can link the inshore spawning grounds with the nursery grounds, offshore on the central Agulhas Bank; and that passive, neutrally buoyant material in the surface layer can reach the vicinity of the cold ridge in as little as eight days. The wind-driven processes of upwelling and coastal trapped waves (CTWs). and the influence of the greater shelf circulation are discussed as possible driving forces of variability in the currents off the Tsitsikamma coast. The occurrence of coastal trapped waves during thermal stratification appears to drive the jet-like, eastward pulses in the current. and results suggest that the propagation of CTWs may regulate and even enhance upwelling and downwelling along the Tsitsikamma coast.

No description available.

We investigate the effect of a 120 meter sea level drop on transport through the Caribbean Sea and the Florida Straits during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) relative to the present, using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS). A geostrophic transport estimate for the Florida Straits suggests the LGM Florida Current was weaker than today by one third, inferring a likely decrease in the North Atlantic overturning circulation by 12-15 Sv. A possible impact of a shallower LGM Florida Straits sill depth on the Florida Current has been suggested. Our model results show that the volume transport through the Florida Straits is slightly reduced in a lower sea level model simulation when compared to a control sea level simulation (34.8 ± 2.0 Sv vs. 39.8 ± 2.3 Sv). The difference in transport is of the order of 5 Sv, representing a maximum limit to the LGM flow reduction due to sea level change. Therefore the change in sill depth between the LGM and the present is unlikely to have been a cause of the entire observed flow reduction.

A variação do nível do mar em relação ao geóide é conhecida como Topografia Dinâmica do oceano, cuja determinação é importante no estudo da circulação geostrófica, vórtices e outros fenômenos. O sinal do geóide predomina na definição da topografia dinâmica em todos os comprimentos de onda, ou seja, o nível do mar está intimamente ligado ao campo geopotencial. Os modelos geoidais globais anteriores ao GRACE eram precisos para comprimentos de onda com centenas de quilômetros, já em curtos comprimentos de onda (menores que 100 km) esses modelos não possuíam resolução suficiente, prejudicando assim a determinação da TD e, conseqüentemente, o estudo de fenômenos com comprimentos de ondas na faixa de 100 a 200 km. No desenvolvimento do modelo EGM96, foram inseridos novos dados gravimétricos de superfície, além de dados de órbitas de satélites e altimetria, obtendo-se assim melhora considerável em relação ao modelo OSO91A (incorporado aos dados do TOPEX/Poseidon); ainda sim, o modelo EGM96 possui erro de aproximadamente 18 cm, que é considerado alto para várias aplicações oceanográficas. Recentemente, foram divulgados os modelos globais do campo de gravidade EIGEN-5C (obtido através dos dados do GRACE) e EGM2008, completos para grau e ordem 360 e 2159 em termos de coeficientes harmônicos esféricos, respectivamente; estes modelos possibilitaram a estimativa de correntes com resolução e precisão superior ao modelo EGM96. No presente trabalho, os modelos geoidais citados acima, juntamente com o modelo de nível médio do mar DNSC08, foram usados na determinação da topografia dinâmica média e das correntes geostróficas absolutas médias (no período de 2003 a 2008) utilizando o método de filtragem SSA no Atlântico Sul (20o N a 55o S, 80o W a 20o E) . Os resultados foram comparados com produtos do modelo numérico HYCOM, demonstrando que os modelos geoidais recentes (EIGEN-5C e EGM2008) apresentaram resultados satisfatórios na determinação da TDM e correntes, com a plena identificação das principais feições de grande e meso escala, o que não ocorre com a TDM do EGM96. A Corrente do Brasil, entre 20°S e 30°S, na isóbata de 200 m, apresentou velocidades resultantes médias de aproximadamente 0.20 m/s (desvio padrão de 0.09 m/s) quando determinada com a TDM-EGM2008, 0.22 m/s (desvio padrão de 0.12 m/s) vii utilizando a TDM-EIGEN-5C, embora os ruídos interfiram na estimativa, e 0.30 m/s (desvio padrão de 0.17 m/s) considerando a TDM-EGM96; o modelo numérico HYCOM forneceu velocidade de 0.25 m/s (desvio padrão de 0.13 m/s) na mesma região. Estatisticamente, as correntes do modelo TDM-EGM08 possuem maior correlação espacial com o modelo numérico HYCOM, 0.7 para u (componente EW) e 0.69 para v (componente NS); por outro lado, as correntes oriundas da TDM-EIGEN-5C apresentaram uma correlação de 0.62 para u e 0.64 para v, enquanto que as correntes do modelo TDM-EGM96 apresentaram uma correlação de 0.10 para u e 0.11 para v. Uma alternativa no uso de dados de altimetria de satélites (Jason, por exemplo) se encontra em dados de altimetria multi-satélites combinados com resultados de medições in-situ, submetidos a análise objetiva (são portanto dados combinados, MERGED, fornecidos pela AVISO); com esses dados se tem significativo aumento de precisão e resolução dos dados de altimetria, da topografia dinâmica e das correntes geostróficas. Na região que engloba a Confluência Brasil Malvinas (50o S a 20o S , 70 o W a 30o W) foram analisadas as variações temporais da topografia dinâmica e correntes oriundas de altimetria e do modelo geoidal EGM2008. Na análise específica desta região, verificouse que, apesar das principais feições terem sido identificadas, os dados de altimetria ainda carecem de resolução necessária no estudo das mesmas. O modelo EGM2008 apresentou os melhores resultados que os outros modelos (comparando com o modelo HYCOM e dados combinados de AVISO), devido à sua resolução espacial. / The variations of sea level relative to the geoid are known as Dynamic Ocean Topography (DOT), whose determination is important in studies of the geostrophic circulation, eddies and other phenomena. The sign of the geoid predominates in the definition of dynamic topography at all wavelengths, ie, sea level is closely linked to the geopotential field. Global geoid models prior to GRACE were precise for wavelengths of hundreds of kilometers, but in short wavelengths (less than 100 km) these models did not have enough resolution, thus impairing the determination of DOT and therefore the study of phenomena with wavelengths in the range of 100-200 km. In developing the EGM96, new surface gravity data were incorporated into the modeling, from satellite orbits and altimetry, resulting in a considerable improvement over the previous OSO91A (incorporated to TOPEX / Poseidon data); still EGM96 had a standard deviation of about 18 cm, considered too high for many oceanographic applications. Recently, global models of the gravity field were published, EIGEN-5C (obtained from GRACE data) and EGM2008, complete to degree and order 360 and 2159 in terms of spherical harmonic coefficients, respectively; these models allowed the estimation of currents with resolution and accuracy better than model EGM96. In this work, the geoid models mentioned above, along with models of mean sea level such as DNSC08, were used in the determination of DOT and absolute geostrophic currents (in 2003-2008) using the filtering method SSA (Singular Spectrum Analysis) in South Atlantic (20o N - 55o S , 80 o W - 20o E) . The results were compared with products from HYCOM hydrodynamic numerical model and show that recent geoid models (EIGEN-5C and EGM2008) lead to satisfactory results in determining the Average Dynamic Topography (ADT) and currents, with full identification of the main features of large and meso scales, which does not occur with ADT_EGM96. The Brazil Current (20°S-30°S), in the 200 m isobath, had average speed results of approximately 0.20 m/s (standard deviation 0.09 m/s) when computed with ADT-EGM2008, 0.22 m/s (standard deviation 0.12 m/s) by using ADT_EIGEN-5C, despite noise interference with the estimate, and 0.30 m/s (standard deviation 0.17 m/s) considering the ADT_EGM96; the numerical model HYCOM provided speed of 0.25 m/s (standard deviation 0.13 m/s) in the same region. Statistically, the currents based on model ADT_EGM08 have higher correlation with the numerical model HYCOM, 0.70 for u (EW component) and 0.69 for v (NS component); on the other hand, the currents computed with ADT_EIGEN-5C had correlations of 0.62 for u and 0.64 for v, while currents estimated from ADT_EGM96 showed correlations of 0.10 for u and 0.11 for v. An alternative in the use altimetry data (Jason, for example) is found in altimetry multi-satellites data combined with results of measurements in-situ, submitted to objective analysis; with these data, a significant increase of precision and resolution is reached for the altimetry data, dynamic topography and geostrophyc currents. In the region encompassing the Brazil Malvinas Confluence (50o S - 20o S , 70 o W - 30o W) were analyzed temporal variations of DOT and currents derived from altimetry and geoid model EGM2008. In the specific analysis of this region, it was found that although the main features have been identified, the altimetry data still lacks resolution to study them.The model EGM2008 showed the best results (comparing with the HYCOM model and combined data of AVISO), due to their spatial resolutions.

A variação do nível do mar em relação ao geóide é conhecida como Topografia Dinâmica do oceano, cuja determinação é importante no estudo da circulação geostrófica, vórtices e outros fenômenos. O sinal do geóide predomina na definição da topografia dinâmica em todos os comprimentos de onda, ou seja, o nível do mar está intimamente ligado ao campo geopotencial. Os modelos geoidais globais anteriores ao GRACE eram precisos para comprimentos de onda com centenas de quilômetros, já em curtos comprimentos de onda (menores que 100 km) esses modelos não possuíam resolução suficiente, prejudicando assim a determinação da TD e, conseqüentemente, o estudo de fenômenos com comprimentos de ondas na faixa de 100 a 200 km. No desenvolvimento do modelo EGM96, foram inseridos novos dados gravimétricos de superfície, além de dados de órbitas de satélites e altimetria, obtendo-se assim melhora considerável em relação ao modelo OSO91A (incorporado aos dados do TOPEX/Poseidon); ainda sim, o modelo EGM96 possui erro de aproximadamente 18 cm, que é considerado alto para várias aplicações oceanográficas. Recentemente, foram divulgados os modelos globais do campo de gravidade EIGEN-5C (obtido através dos dados do GRACE) e EGM2008, completos para grau e ordem 360 e 2159 em termos de coeficientes harmônicos esféricos, respectivamente; estes modelos possibilitaram a estimativa de correntes com resolução e precisão superior ao modelo EGM96. No presente trabalho, os modelos geoidais citados acima, juntamente com o modelo de nível médio do mar DNSC08, foram usados na determinação da topografia dinâmica média e das correntes geostróficas absolutas médias (no período de 2003 a 2008) utilizando o método de filtragem SSA no Atlântico Sul (20o N a 55o S, 80o W a 20o E) . Os resultados foram comparados com produtos do modelo numérico HYCOM, demonstrando que os modelos geoidais recentes (EIGEN-5C e EGM2008) apresentaram resultados satisfatórios na determinação da TDM e correntes, com a plena identificação das principais feições de grande e meso escala, o que não ocorre com a TDM do EGM96. A Corrente do Brasil, entre 20°S e 30°S, na isóbata de 200 m, apresentou velocidades resultantes médias de aproximadamente 0.20 m/s (desvio padrão de 0.09 m/s) quando determinada com a TDM-EGM2008, 0.22 m/s (desvio padrão de 0.12 m/s) vii utilizando a TDM-EIGEN-5C, embora os ruídos interfiram na estimativa, e 0.30 m/s (desvio padrão de 0.17 m/s) considerando a TDM-EGM96; o modelo numérico HYCOM forneceu velocidade de 0.25 m/s (desvio padrão de 0.13 m/s) na mesma região. Estatisticamente, as correntes do modelo TDM-EGM08 possuem maior correlação espacial com o modelo numérico HYCOM, 0.7 para u (componente EW) e 0.69 para v (componente NS); por outro lado, as correntes oriundas da TDM-EIGEN-5C apresentaram uma correlação de 0.62 para u e 0.64 para v, enquanto que as correntes do modelo TDM-EGM96 apresentaram uma correlação de 0.10 para u e 0.11 para v. Uma alternativa no uso de dados de altimetria de satélites (Jason, por exemplo) se encontra em dados de altimetria multi-satélites combinados com resultados de medições in-situ, submetidos a análise objetiva (são portanto dados combinados, MERGED, fornecidos pela AVISO); com esses dados se tem significativo aumento de precisão e resolução dos dados de altimetria, da topografia dinâmica e das correntes geostróficas. Na região que engloba a Confluência Brasil Malvinas (50o S a 20o S , 70 o W a 30o W) foram analisadas as variações temporais da topografia dinâmica e correntes oriundas de altimetria e do modelo geoidal EGM2008. Na análise específica desta região, verificouse que, apesar das principais feições terem sido identificadas, os dados de altimetria ainda carecem de resolução necessária no estudo das mesmas. O modelo EGM2008 apresentou os melhores resultados que os outros modelos (comparando com o modelo HYCOM e dados combinados de AVISO), devido à sua resolução espacial. / The variations of sea level relative to the geoid are known as Dynamic Ocean Topography (DOT), whose determination is important in studies of the geostrophic circulation, eddies and other phenomena. The sign of the geoid predominates in the definition of dynamic topography at all wavelengths, ie, sea level is closely linked to the geopotential field. Global geoid models prior to GRACE were precise for wavelengths of hundreds of kilometers, but in short wavelengths (less than 100 km) these models did not have enough resolution, thus impairing the determination of DOT and therefore the study of phenomena with wavelengths in the range of 100-200 km. In developing the EGM96, new surface gravity data were incorporated into the modeling, from satellite orbits and altimetry, resulting in a considerable improvement over the previous OSO91A (incorporated to TOPEX / Poseidon data); still EGM96 had a standard deviation of about 18 cm, considered too high for many oceanographic applications. Recently, global models of the gravity field were published, EIGEN-5C (obtained from GRACE data) and EGM2008, complete to degree and order 360 and 2159 in terms of spherical harmonic coefficients, respectively; these models allowed the estimation of currents with resolution and accuracy better than model EGM96. In this work, the geoid models mentioned above, along with models of mean sea level such as DNSC08, were used in the determination of DOT and absolute geostrophic currents (in 2003-2008) using the filtering method SSA (Singular Spectrum Analysis) in South Atlantic (20o N - 55o S , 80 o W - 20o E) . The results were compared with products from HYCOM hydrodynamic numerical model and show that recent geoid models (EIGEN-5C and EGM2008) lead to satisfactory results in determining the Average Dynamic Topography (ADT) and currents, with full identification of the main features of large and meso scales, which does not occur with ADT_EGM96. The Brazil Current (20°S-30°S), in the 200 m isobath, had average speed results of approximately 0.20 m/s (standard deviation 0.09 m/s) when computed with ADT-EGM2008, 0.22 m/s (standard deviation 0.12 m/s) by using ADT_EIGEN-5C, despite noise interference with the estimate, and 0.30 m/s (standard deviation 0.17 m/s) considering the ADT_EGM96; the numerical model HYCOM provided speed of 0.25 m/s (standard deviation 0.13 m/s) in the same region. Statistically, the currents based on model ADT_EGM08 have higher correlation with the numerical model HYCOM, 0.70 for u (EW component) and 0.69 for v (NS component); on the other hand, the currents computed with ADT_EIGEN-5C had correlations of 0.62 for u and 0.64 for v, while currents estimated from ADT_EGM96 showed correlations of 0.10 for u and 0.11 for v. An alternative in the use altimetry data (Jason, for example) is found in altimetry multi-satellites data combined with results of measurements in-situ, submitted to objective analysis; with these data, a significant increase of precision and resolution is reached for the altimetry data, dynamic topography and geostrophyc currents. In the region encompassing the Brazil Malvinas Confluence (50o S - 20o S , 70 o W - 30o W) were analyzed temporal variations of DOT and currents derived from altimetry and geoid model EGM2008. In the specific analysis of this region, it was found that although the main features have been identified, the altimetry data still lacks resolution to study them.The model EGM2008 showed the best results (comparing with the HYCOM model and combined data of AVISO), due to their spatial resolutions.