Modeling the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea hydrodynamics: a comparative study

The application of the GHER 3D primitive equation model to the simulation of the seasonal cycle of the Mediterranean and Black Sea circulation will be shown. The two basins are very illustrative for either concentration or dilution basins, and modelling such different systems needs some special attention with respect to the representation of the water masses and mixing between the different layers. The strength of the variability of both basins will be compared, including comparison with climatological data. Turbulent characteristics in both cases alalysed, showing that at the scales under investigations, both turbulent regimes are close to a balance between production, destruction and vertical diffusion of turbulence. ft is also shown how the river dominaled Black Sea exhibits specific free surface behaviors while the Mediterranean Sea exhibits specific deep water formations leading both to a different kind of vertical mixing.