Very high-resolution modelling of submesoscale turbulent patterns and processes in the Baltic Sea

Abstract

Abstract. In order to simulate submesoscale turbulent patterns and processes (STPPs) and to analyse their properties and dynamics, the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) is applied to a subregion of the Baltic Sea around the island of Bornholm. The modeled STPPs provide an aid for the interpretation of observations that were taken during the Expedition Clockwork Ocean in the same region in June 2016. To create a realistic mesoscale and submesoscale environment, ROMS with 500-m horizontal resolution is one-way nested into an existing operational model. The comparison of the results with satellite images shows good agreement. STPPs with horizontal scales

High‐Resolution Simulations of Submesoscale Processes in the Baltic Sea: The Role of Storm Events

“…It also (approximately) separates the active surface mixing layer from the non‐turbulent deeper region generated by the restratification process (see Figure 12). Note that this threshold is much smaller than the typical density contrast required to trace the top of the seasonal thermocline of the Baltic Sea (Lips et al., 2011; Onken et al., 2020).…”

“…Despite the ubiquity of SML fronts and submesoscale features in the Baltic Sea, and their well‐known implications for SML energetics and biogeochemistry in other marine systems, their properties and dynamics are still largely unexplored for the case of the Baltic Sea. Notable exceptions are recent studies focusing mainly on the Gulf of Finland (Väli et al., 2017; Vankevich et al., 2016) and the southern part of the Baltic Sea (Onken et al., 2020; Zhurbas et al., 2019).…”

Rotation of floating particles in submesoscale cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies: a model study for the southeastern Baltic Sea

“…Submesoscale processes can redistribute cyanobacteria mass to form both spiral-like patches of enhanced concentration and cyanobacteria-free sites in the surface layer. Such redistribution has a positive impact on the ecosystem, since the existence of cyanobacteria-free sites allows large grazers to persist, which can be an important mechanism for the successful reestablishment of biodiversity after periods of cyanobacterial blooms (Reichwaldt et al, 2013). An example of a prominent cyclonic spiral located at a distance of 60 km north-northwest from Cape Taran is visible on the Landsat-8 optical image due to cyanobacteria blooms presented in Fig.…”

Rotation of floating particles in submesoscale cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies: a model study for the southeastern Baltic Sea

“…high-resolution circulation models with the horizontal grid of less than 0.6 km were implemented also to study submesoscale dynamics in the Baltic Sea (Vankevich et al, 2016;Väli et al, 2017Väli et al, , 2018Vortmeyer-Kley et al, 2019;Zhurbas et al, 2019;Onken et al, 2019).…”