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Archive ouverte | Oceanologica Acta, Special issue (0399-1784) (Gauthier-Villars), 1991
Edité par Gauthier-Villars
A two-dimensional mathematical model of the Channel has been used to reveal tide-related advective physical structures, at synoptic time scales. Results show a complete circulation pattern composed of a nearly axial "river" carrying a water flux of about 27,000 m super(3)/s, for an average tide, from the Atlantic to the North Sea and lateral gyres of various intensities, linked to the topography. The modest velocity of the mean flow makes it probably subject to strong temporal modifications by meteorological forcings. Conversely, some strong gyres may play an important role on the residence time of particles and the local memorization of water mass characteristics.