Influence of Bathymetry on the Performance of Regional Scale Model

P. Anand; P.V. Hareesh Kumar

doi:10.14429/dsj.68.11408

P. Anand Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi - 682 021, India http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1028-8047
P.V. Hareesh Kumar Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi - 682 021, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.68.11408

Keywords: Ocean modelling, Eastern Arabian Sea, Bathymetry

Abstract

A three dimensional ocean circulation model (Princeton Ocean Model) is utilised to study the thermohaline variability of the eastern Arabian Sea associated with changes in the three input bathymetry data sets, viz. ETOPO5 (E5), Modified ETOPO5 (ME5) and ME5 further modified based on actual fine resolution data collected using Multibeam echo-sounder (MEN5). The temperature and salinity measurements made onboard INS Sagardhwani for the period July 2000 is utilised to validate the model. Simulations of temperature using Princeton Ocean Model show good improvement in the coastal region with MEN5 bathymetry data (RMS error of 0.71 °C and correlation coefficient of 0.98). The study highlights the choice of fine resolution bathymetry data in the simulation of nearshore processes, where bathymetry is very complex.

Author Biographies

P. Anand, Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi - 682 021, India

Mr P. Anand obtained his MSc (Physical Oceanography) from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, Kerala. Presently working as a Scientist at Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi. His research areas include: Thermohaline studies, ocean dynamics, ocean modelling, operational oceanography, and oceanographic software for operational use. He is a life member of Indian Meteorological Society and Ocean Society of India.

In the current study, he has carried out all the model simulations and analysis.

P.V. Hareesh Kumar, Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi - 682 021, India

Dr P.V. Hareesh Kumar obtained his MSc and PhD from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi. Presently, he is the Associate Director and Scientist G at Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi. His areas of specialisation are: Air-sea interaction, upper ocean dynamics, Thermohaline structure, ocean modelling, sonar oceanography and remote sensing. He has published 70 papers in national and international journals. He is a life member of Indian Meteorological Society, Ocean Society of India, and Indian Society of Remote Sensing.

He initiated the idea and provided guidance work throughout the course of this work.