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Space and time variability of the surface color field in the northern Adriatic SeaA time series of coastal zone color scanner images for the years 1979 and 1980 was used to observe the spatial and temporal variability of bio-optical processes and circulation patterns of the northern Adriatic Sea on monthly, seasonal, and interannual scales. The chlorophyll-like pigment concentrations derived from satellite data exhibited a high correlation with sea truth measurements performed during seven surveys in the summer of both years. Comparison of the mean pigment fields indicates a general increase in concentration values and larger scales of coastal features from 1979 to 1980. This variability may be linked to the different patterns of nutrient influx due to coastal runoff in the 2 years. The distribution of surface features is consistent with the general cyclonic circulation pattern. The pigment heterogeneity appears to be governed by fluctuations of freshwater discharge, while the dominant wind fields do not appear to have important direct effects. The Po River presents a plume spreading predominantly in a southeastern direction, with scales positively correlated with its outflow. The spatial scales of the western coastal layer, in contrast, are negatively correlated with this outflow and the plume scales. Both results are consistent with, and may be rationalized by, recent theoretical and experimental results involving a dynamical balance between nonlinear advection and bottom friction, with alternate predominance of one of the two effects.
Document ID
19870036448
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Barale, Vittorio
(California, University La Jolla, United States)
Mcclain, Charles R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Malanotte-Rizzoli, Paola
(MIT Cambridge, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
November 15, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 91
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Oceanography
Accession Number
87A23722
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-587
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-583
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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