Echanges côte-large à moyenne échelle au niveau de la pente continentale du Golfe du Lion. Processus et Modélisation

Dynamics of water mass exchanges between the Gulf of Lions (GoL) and the open sea are driven by several physical processes, which influence circulation at several spacio-temporal scales. This study, based on a realistic modelling during two years, aims to bring a better knowledge of circulation and hydrodynamics processes occurring in the NW Mediterranean Sea and in the GoL. Firstly, the NW Mediterranean Basin circulation modelled during the year 2001 is compared with Sea Surface Temperature (SST) satellite measurements (AVHRR) and with the MEDATLAS climatology. These comparisons show a good agreement concerning surface patterns and seasonal variability of the large scale circulation. At lower scale, several processes influence circulation over the shelf and the GoL's continental slope. These processes are studied by comparing model results to SST and chlorophyll satellite measurements. Secondly, an improved modelling configuration had been used with in-situ measurements collected during the ECOLOPHY experiment (June - December 2005) to investigate the mesoscale variability generated on the onshore Northern Current (NC) front. The one-year time series of ADCP current measurements revealed that mesoscale activity strengthens during winter due to seasonal variability of the NC and to local wind effect. Current fluctuations evidenced by meanders and eddies, are attributed to baroclinic and barotropic instability processes. Finally, modelling test cases show that wind forcing and bathymetry