LONG PERIOD (SUBTIDAL) SEA LEVEL VARIATIONS AND THEIR RELATIONS TO ATMOSPHERIC FORCING IN THE GULF OF ANTALYA
01/30/2019Long period (subtidal) sea level variations and their relations to atmospheric forcing in the gulf of Antalya
Bedri Alpar, Hüseyin Yüce, Ertuğrul Doğan
Department of Navigation, Hydrography and Oceanography , 81647 Çubuklu, Beykoz, Istanbul, TURKEY
Istanbul University, Institute of Marine Sciences and Management, 34470 Vefa, Istanbul, TURKEY
Abstract
Long period (subtidal) sea level fluctuations in the Gulf of Antalya and their relations lo atmospheric forcing were examined over one-year period. Main study tools were the power spectra of time series and the cross spectral analyses of sea level on local atmospheric pressure and two orthogonal wind stress components. The results shown an inverted barometer response to atmospheric pressure and a frequency dependent response to wind that can he tentatively interpreted in terms or wind setup or barometric setup of semi-enclosed regions. The seasonal fluctuation of the monthly mean sea level is in accord with hydrologic cycle of the Eastern Mediterranean. The dominant coastal sea level fluctuations occurred at a Lime scale of 2-4 weeks. The variance of barotropic fluctuaton is higher in the winter (November – April) than in the summer (May – October), due to the increased cyclone activities. Local wind forcing as important and must or the coastal sea level change as driven by the cross-shore wind in the Gulf of Antalya.
Keywords: Sea level, subtidal variations, atmospheric forcing, Eastern Mediterranean
