Reconstructing the General Circulation of the Ross Sea (Antarctica) Using a Robust Diagnostic Model

Abstract

A robust-diagnostic numerical model for the general circulation of the Ross Sea is presented. The model is forced by open boundary velocities and wind field, while temperature and salinity values have been objectively analyzed from data acquired during the X-th Italian expedition in Antarctic. Even if model assumptions could be improved (e.g. enhance the description of the sea-ice interaction, use available wind time series and updated topography), comparisons between current meters moorings data averages and reconstructed fields shows that temperature, salinity and velocity fields obtained are in good agreement with experimental observations and theoretical studies, even if velocity modules have been under estimated.