Shelf-slope exchanges and particle dispersion in Blanes submarine canyon (NW Mediterranean Sea): A numerical study

摘要: Abstract A climatological simulation performed with a fine-resolution (∼1.2 km) 3D circulation model nested in one-way to coarse-resolution (∼4 km) regional is used examine the cross-shelf break water exchange Blanes submarine canyon (∼41°00′–41°46′N; ∼02°24′–03°24′E). Lagrangian particle-tracking coupled investigate role of incident flow (i.e. Northern Current, NC) and its seasonal variability on dispersion residence time passive particles inside Canyon. The NC flows southwestward, along slope, coastline right. Water advected offshore/onshore at upstream/downstream walls, net transport toward slope offshore). amount moved across shelf upstream wall approximately three times larger than downstream wall. This preferential zone for explained by asymmetric geometry orientation current respect bathymetry. Passive released Canyon between mid-shelf upper-slope drift within accumulate over edge canyon. About half depths above move towards shallower areas In contrast, about two-thirds below deeper areas. Particle higher under weakly (e.g. winter) strongly summer) stratified conditions. (∼4–6 days) double canyon, indicating that acts as an efficient retention particles.