Tidal currents and mixing in the Lake Maracaibo estuarine system

Ana M. Antoranz; J. L. Pelegrí; P. Masciangioli

doi:10.3989/scimar.2001.65s1155

Tidal currents and mixing in the Lake Maracaibo estuarine system

Authors

Ana M. Antoranz 1Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
J. L. Pelegrí 1Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
P. Masciangioli INTEVEP S. A., Centro de Investigación y Apoyo Tecnológico, Filial de Petróleos de Venezuela S. A

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2001.65s1155

Keywords:

estuarine system, tidal forcing, non-linear phenomena, stratification, mixing, Caribbean Sea

Abstract

The Lake Maracaibo estuarine system is a cooscillating coupled ocean-lake system connected through a partially mixed estuary. In this paper we examine the low frequency movements (w < 0.1 cycles/day) in the different water bodies within this system. The harmonic and rotary spectral analyses of velocity data indicates the importance of tidal forcing within the whole system and its interaction with winds and fresh water discharge. In particular, the results indicate the existence of dominant semi-monthly oscillations in Lake Maracaibo, likely of non-linear tidal origin, and suggest that vertical stratificaction plays an important role in controlling the three-dimensional structure of tidal currents.

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Published

2001-07-30

How to Cite

Antoranz AM, Pelegrí JL, Masciangioli P. Tidal currents and mixing in the Lake Maracaibo estuarine system. scimar [Internet]. 2001Jul.30 [cited 2023Nov.28];65(S1):155-66. Available from: https://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/711

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Issue

Vol. 65 No. S1 (2001)

Section

Articles

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