Modelling physical-biological interactions: preliminary results on the dynamics of the Southeast Brazil Bight using ROMS

Daniela Faggiani Dias, Douglas F. M. Gherardi and Luciano Ponzi Pezzi

National Institute for Space Research (INPE), Brazil

A numerical experiment using ROMS was carried out for 27 years and the outputs will be used as a physical forcing for experiments with an Individual Based Model (IBM). The research aims at investigating how advective processes and other physical characteristics of the Southeast Brazil Bight (SBB) affect the dispersion and aggregation patterns of the Brazilian sardine eggs and larvae.

The model grid has a horizontal resolution of 1/12º and vertical discretization of 30 levels. The monthly mean Sea Surface Temperature (MSST), Sea Surface Height (MSSH) and Eddy Kinetic Energy (MEKE) indicate that the numerical solutions of the model are stable, with no warming or cooling trends over the years and the seasonal cycle is well represented. These MSST results are consistent with satellite-derived data from AVHRR. Model results accurately represent the position and shape of the main thermal surface structures observed in the satellite data. Monthly MSST maps for the experiment period indicate that the model tends to underestimate temperatures in upwelling areas and overestimate in the Brazil Current region, with differences mostly around ±1ºC.