No abstract

The Gulf of Naples (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea) is a highly urbanised area, where human activities and natural factors (e.g. river runoff, exchanges with adjacent basins) can strongly affect the water quality. In this work we show how surface transport can influence the distribution of passively drifting surface matter, and more in general if and how the circulation in the basin can promote the renovation of the surface layer. To this aim, we carried out a multiplatform analysis by putting together HF radar current fields, satellite images and modelling tools. Surface current fields and satellite images of turbidity patterns were used to initialise and run model simulations of particle transport and diffusion. Model results were then examined in relation to the corresponding satellite distributions. This integrated approach permits to investigate the concurrent effects of surface dynamics and wind forcing in determining the distribution of passive tracers over the basin of interest, identifying key mechanisms supporting or preventing the renewal of surface waters as well as possible areas of aggregation and retention.

No abstract

High-frequency coastal radars (HFRs) have proved to be excellent tools for monitoring coastal circulation, providing synoptic, high spatial and temporal resolution surface current data in real time. They may also give detailed information on the surface wave field of coastal areas. An HFR has been operating in the Gulf of Naples (south-eastern Tyrrhenian Sea) since 2004. In this paper we show the results of their utilisation in the study of the Gulf dynamics and sea state, with a focus on potential applications in the context of operational oceanography.