| 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... |
