Dynamics of an Equatorial River Plume: Theory and Numerical Experiments Applied to the Congo Plume Case

• DOI: 10.1175/jpo-d-13-0132.1
• Publication Date: 2013-12-06T23:33:02Z
• Authors: Clément Vic; Henrick Berger; Anne-Marie Tréguier; Xavier Couvelard
• Keywords: Forcing (mathematics); Middle latitudes; Panache

Abstract The Congo River has the second largest rate of flow in world and is mainly responsible for broad tongue low-salinity water that observed Gulf Guinea. Despite their importance, near-equatorial river plumes have not been studied as thoroughly midlatitude dynamics remain unclear. Using both theory idealized numerical experiments reproduce major characteristics region, authors investigated plume examine its sensitivity to different forcing mechanisms. It found are more likely be surface trapped than plumes, importance β effect describing strong offshore extent during most year demonstrated. shown buoyant constrained by geomorphology subject pulling nonlinear structures wavelike equatorial dynamics. wind strengthen intrinsic buoyancy-driven impede development coastal southward current, coherence with observations.