Gulf of Lions (IFREMER)

Modeling was performed using the MARS-3D (3D hydrodynamical Model for Applications at Regional Scale) code developed at IFREMER (Lazure et Dumas, 2008). Primitive equations are solved applying the Boussinesq approximation, hydrostatic equilibrium and incompressibility. This free surface model use an original semi-implicit and iterative time-step scheme allowing the simultaneous integration of internal and external modes on long time runs in a fast and conservative way. The domain extends from 39.5° N to 44.5° S, but only the Gulf of Lion area (2°E:7°E; 41°N:44°N) is considered for the TOP experiment. The resolution is about 1km. Operational results of the V6.16 version are available on the PREVIMER Web site:

http://www.previmer.org/en/previsions/temperature_et_salinite/modele_meiterranee/

Gulf of Lion (Ligurian Sea and Catalan Shelf) : 39.5°N to 44.5°N ; 0°E:16°E

MARS3D (Primitive Equations) (Lazure and Dumas ,2008)

3-hourly

1/64° (1km *1km)

* 30 sigma levels refined near the bottom and the surface * Free surface

http://www.ifremer.fr/drogm_uk/Realisation/carto/index.html

* Direct atmospheric radiative flux forcings * Bulk for latent, and sensible fluxes using modelled SST (Luyten and De Mulder, 1992) * 3 hourly of MM5 zoom embedded in NCEP analysis & forecasts * Daily run off

* Open Boundary Conditions : FRS scheme (Martinsen and Egendahl ; 1987) * Lateral forcing data form the REGIONAL MOON Model (1/16°)

slip lateral boundary friction condition

Non linear bottom friction

Laplacian diffusion controlled by Smagorinsky formulation

laplacian diffusion

TKE vertical mixing model (Gaspard 1990)

No tide

No assimilation