scholarly journals Observations of nonlinear momentum fluxes over the inner continental shelf

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Connolly ◽  
Steven Lentz
Keyword(s):  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Momentum Fluxes ◽  
Inner Continental Shelf

scholarly journals Observations of nonlinear momentum fluxes over the inner continental shelf

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-66
Author(s):  
Thomas P. Connolly ◽  
Steven J. Lentz
Keyword(s):  
Continental Shelf ◽  
New England ◽  
Wind Stress ◽  
Vertical Shear ◽  
Momentum Balance ◽  
Inner Shelf ◽  
Bottom Stress ◽  
Momentum Fluxes ◽  
Inner Continental Shelf

Nonlinear momentum fluxes over the inner continental shelf are examined using moored observations from multiple years at two different locations in the Middle Atlantic Bight. Inner shelf dynamics are often described in terms of a linear alongshore momentum balance, dominated by frictional stresses generated at the surface and bottom. In this study, observations over the North Carolina inner shelf show that the divergence of the cross-shelf flux of alongshore momentum is often substantial relative to the wind stress during periods of strong stratification. During upwelling at this location, offshore fluxes of alongshore momentum in the surface layer partially balance the wind stress and reduce the role of the bottom stress. During downwelling, onshore fluxes of alongshore momentum reinforce the wind stress and increase the role of bottom stress. Over the New England inner shelf, nonlinear terms have less of an impact in the momentum balance and exhibit different relationships with the wind forcing. Differences between locations and time periods are explained by variations in bottom slope, latitude, vertical shear and cross-shelf exchange. Over the New England inner shelf, where moored density data are available, variations in vertical shear are explained by a combination of thermal wind balance and wind stress. An implication of this study is that cross-shelf winds can potentially influence the alongshore momentum balance over the inner shelf, in contrast with deeper locations over the middle to outer shelf.

Sidescan-sonar imagery of the shoreface and inner continental shelf, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Robert Thieler ◽  
William C. Schwab ◽  
Mead A. Allison ◽  
Jane F. Denny ◽  
William W. Danforth
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Sidescan Sonar ◽  
Inner Continental Shelf

scholarly journals ICHTHYOFAUNA IN THE INNER CONTINENTAL SHELF NEXT TO THE PARANAGUÁ ESTUARINE COMPLEX, SOUTHERN BRAZIL

2021 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Cesar SANTOS ◽  
Roberto SCHWARZ JUNIOR ◽  
Helen Audrey PICHLER ◽  
Olímpio Rafael CARDOSO ◽  
Marcelo Renato LAMOUR ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Otter Trawl ◽  
Rainfall Regime ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Environmental Characteristics ◽  
The North ◽  
Inner Continental Shelf

The composition and structure of fish assemblages in the inner continental shelf of the Paraná State are affected by cold fronts and the rainfall regime. Data from fishing activities in this region, as well as the analysis of environmental characteristics, are the main tools available for understanding fish dynamics, under influence of increasing human activities. In order to better understand patterns and temporal variations in fish assemblages in the inner continental shelf of the Paraná State, a total of 24 double trawls were performed with an otter trawl between August 2000 and July 2001, in two sampling areas, the North area in front of the northern mouth of the Paranaguá Estuary Complex, and the South area, in front of the Leste beach. A total of 45,277 fish specimens belonging to 35 families and 97 species were caught. Sciaenidae was the most abundant family, with 37.1% of the total number of individuals caught, and with the highest richness (18 species). Statistical analyses evidenced significant differences in environmental characteristics and in fish fauna, and that both areas disturbances were observed in the fish assemblages during the dry and wet season, being more intense in the Southern area, disturbances that would be related to the shrimp fishing present in the two areas sampled in this study.

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