Unit 2 - Shelf Seas: Circulation

Question 1

What are the two main regions of the shelf mentioned?

Answer 1

The inner shelf and the mid shelf.

Question 2

What does “understanding frequency forcing” refer to?

Answer 2

It refers to analyzing how different forces interact with frequency changes in ocean dynamics.

Question 3

What is upwelling?

Answer 3

Upwelling is a process where deeper, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface, which is discussed in the context of coastal dynamics.

Question 4

What influences the inner shelf according to the document?

Answer 4

It is influenced by riverine fresh-water input, tides, winds, and urban impacts.

Question 5

What are headland vortices?

Answer 5

Headland vortices are swirling water movements that occur near coastal headlands.

Question 6

What is the significance of surface and bottom boundary layers?

Answer 6

They overlap and interact, affecting ocean dynamics and processes such as turbulence and circulation.

Question 7

How do surface waves impact the inner shelf?

Answer 7

Shoaling surface waves are typically negligible in inner shelf dynamics.

Question 8

What type of circulation is usually balanced in the along-shelf flow?

Answer 8

The along-shelf circulation usually maintains a geostrophic balance.

Question 9

What does the term “low pass filtered” refer to in data analysis?

Answer 9

It refers to a method of analyzing data by removing high-frequency fluctuations to focus on longer-term trends.

Question 10

What is the resolution of the low-pass filtered timeseries mentioned?

Answer 10

The resolution is 1-minute with a total duration of 33 hours.

Question 11

Name one of the spatial scales mentioned in the document.

Answer 11

Spatial scales include 1 cm, 10 cm, up to 10,000 km.

Question 12

What is the role of wind and tides in the inner shelf dynamic processes?

Answer 12

Wind and tides are boundary layer-driven processes that affect circulation and interactions in the coastal region.

Question 13

What is referred to as “background” in the context of frequency modulation?

Answer 13

Lower-frequency modulation that provides a baseline or reference against which higher-frequency changes are compared.

Question 14

What challenges might arise when comparing observational scales?

Answer 14

There may be variations in observations due to different scales of frequency changes and environmental conditions.

Question 15

How is friction related to the Ekman principle in upwelling?

Answer 15

Friction interacts with wind and Coriolis forces to drive the upwelling process, affecting the vertical movement of the water.

Question 16

What impacts do urban activities have on coastal dynamics?

Answer 16

Urban impacts may include channel deepening and alterations in water flow and quality.

Question 17

What does the term “Internal Waves” refer to?

Answer 17

oscillations within water column that affect density and stratification.

Question 18

What might “diurnal heating and cooling” influence?

Answer 18

It influences coastal temperature variations and circulation patterns over a 24-hour period.

Question 19

What were the roles of eddies in the context of ocean dynamics?

Answer 19

Eddies contribute to mixing and the redistribution of energy and nutrients within the water column.

Question 20

What are “spring-neap” tides?

Answer 20

They refer to the variation in tidal range that occurs in a predictable cycle based on the moon’s position.

Question 21

How are rip currents described?

Answer 21

Rip currents are localized, strong flows of water moving away from the shore, posing risks to swimmers.

Question 22

What is “turbulent mixing” in ocean dynamics?

Answer 22

Turbulent mixing refers to the chaotic movement of water that enhances mixing and nutrient distribution.

Question 23

How does climate change factor into coastal processes?

Answer 23

Climate change can alter sea levels, temperatures, and ocean circulation patterns, impacting coastal dynamics.

Question 24

How often was the data sampling performed in the mentioned timeseries?

Answer 24

Data sampling was performed at a resolution of 1 minute.

Question 25

What processes were mentioned in relation to the coastal environment?

Answer 25

Processes included upwelling, river inputs, tidal forces, and wind impacts.

Question 26

What is the connection between surface waves and transport?

Answer 26

Surface waves drive onshore transport in the surface boundary layer, while offshore transport occurs in the bottom boundary layer.

Question 27

What can high-pass filtering reveal in ocean data?

Answer 27

High-pass filtering can isolate and reveal short-term fluctuations as opposed to longer-term trends.

Question 28

What is the function of a bottom boundary layer in coastal dynamics?

Answer 28

The bottom boundary layer interacts with the seafloor, affecting sediment transport and nutrient exchange.

Question 29

How do internal tides impact marine ecosystems?

Answer 29

Internal tides influence stratification and mixing within the water column

Question 30

How do high and low-frequency changes differ in observation?

Answer 30

High-frequency changes are short-term, rapid fluctuations, while low-frequency changes represent longer-term trends.

Question 31

What are coastal seasonal variabilities?

Answer 31

They refer to predictable changes in coastal dynamics driven by seasonal factors such as temperature and weather patterns.

Question 32

What concept is frequently referenced in the context of overlapping physical processes?

Answer 32

The interaction of various oceanic phenomena, such as upwelling and tidal forces, is frequently referenced.