Page 14 - angeo-21-299-2003

312 R. Sorgente et al.: Seasonal variability in the Central Mediterranean Sea circulation

37.3 37.6 37.8 (a) A) 37.9
−200 38.2
−400 37.65 38.5
−600
38
38.4

38.52
38.53
38.56
Depth (m.)
38.55 38.58
38.56
−800

38.55
−1000 38.53
−1200 38.5 38.51
−1400

−1600
37.2 37.4 37.6 37.8 38 38.2 38.4 38.6 38.8 39 39.2
North Latitude

(b) B)

37.25 37.8 37.9 38.57 38
−200 3837.5
−400 38.2 37.95
−600
38.51 38.1

38.4 38.3

38.5

38.54

Depth (m.)
38.58
−800 38.55
−1000 38.53 38.54
−1200 38.51
−1400 38.5

−1600
37.2 37.4 37.6 37.8 38 38.2 38.4 38.6 38.8 39 39.2
North Latitude

Fig. 14. The simulated 10-day averaged vertical section of salinity along longitude 9◦ E in (a) February and (b) August. The contour interval
is 0.05 psu in the range 37.0 to 38.5 psu, 0.01 in the range between 38.0 to 38.5 and 0.02 in the range 38.5 to 38.6 psu.

layer width and core depth. The vertical sections of the sim- situated at 800 dbar, indicating flow characteristics typical of
ulated salinity (Fig. 14a) show the inflow of the MAW close an alongshore frontal current. Toward the summer months
to the Tunisian coast, as a superficial layer characterized by (Fig. 14b), the MAW flow is progressively eroded from the
a minimum salinity of about 37.2 psu and speeds reaching up surface, with a decrease in speeds, becoming a subsurface
to 45 cm/s during the period November to March. In Novem- core from July to October, and with a minimum of salinity
ber 1993, Bouzinac et al. (1999) have calculated a maximum at a depth between 50–80 m. According to the model, the
eastward velocity of over 30 cm/s at the salinity minimum eastern volume transport along the section at 9◦ E reaches its