the main physical processes. The temperature and salinity distributions of
the French Atlantic shelf are simulated taking into account the tide and
wind-induced advection and diffusion.
The model uses a traditional rectangular Cartesian grid with an homogeneous mesh size (25 km 2 ). This method does n< )! permit refinement near
the coast, but it is the most adapted to study the French Atlantic shelf in
its whole extent. Ten vertical layers are used with sigma coordinates and
progressively increasing grid steps towards the depth. The maximum
depth is about 200 m near the continental slope, at the westem boundant
Biological dynamics are implemented into this three-dimensional frame,
where all state variables are transported by advection and diffusion. The
physical and biological models are linked through the diffusion coefficient, the transport, the temperature and heat fluxes (light).
Figure 1 - Schematic diagram of the state variables and their relations.
107
the French Atlantic shelf are simulated taking into account the tide and
wind-induced advection and diffusion.
The model uses a traditional rectangular Cartesian grid with an homogeneous mesh size (25 km 2 ). This method does n< )! permit refinement near
the coast, but it is the most adapted to study the French Atlantic shelf in
its whole extent. Ten vertical layers are used with sigma coordinates and
progressively increasing grid steps towards the depth. The maximum
depth is about 200 m near the continental slope, at the westem boundant
Biological dynamics are implemented into this three-dimensional frame,
where all state variables are transported by advection and diffusion. The
physical and biological models are linked through the diffusion coefficient, the transport, the temperature and heat fluxes (light).
Figure 1 - Schematic diagram of the state variables and their relations.
107