Comparison between modeled and observed surface drifter trajectories and calculation of FTLE fields to explain a spatial separation between two genetic clades of copepods
Simon St-Onge Drouin, Jean-François Dumais, Gesche Winkler
ISMER/UQAR
(Abstract received 08/06/2009 for session E)
ABSTRACT
The Upper St-Lawrence estuary, about 180km long and up to 30km wide, is characterized by strong tidal currents (~2 m/s). A three-dimensional numerical model of this estuary is used to compare modeled and observed drifter paths. This fully prognostic model has a 30 seconds time step with a lateral resolution of 400m and 35 levels in the vertical. The modeled and observed paths are found to be in good agreement. Finite-time Lyapunov exponents are then computed from modeled drifter trajectories. These results are used to show the importance of hydrodynamics in maintaining the separation between two genetic clades of the calanoid copepod species complex Eurytemora affinis.
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