Towards a regional-ocean model for the behaviour of Mediterranean Outflow Water

Abstract

To improve our physics-based understanding of the Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) a general ocean model has been built in the Princeton Ocean Model (POM) frame- work. The model has been tested and compared to observa- tions and appears to function correctly. Several of the pa- rameters (bathymetry smoothing, sill depth, Mediterranean source water, and Atlantic water) that control the develop- ment of the MOW have been tested for their sensitivity. The results are in agreement with the general consensus that there is a clear link between the MOW and global ocean circula- tion. And show that there is a strong relationship between MOW development, local bathymetry and the (turbulent) mixing between the MOW and the surrounding waters.