Abstract:

In this paper, the high resolution finite volume community ocean model (FVCOM) was used to simulate the four main tides of M2, S2, K1, and O1 in the Bransfield Strait, Antarctica. The co-tide chart was plotted using the tide harmonic constant. Using these data, the tidal form was calculated, which in this sea area is a mixed semi-diurnal tide. The diurnal tide in this area near the southwestern part of the Antarctic Peninsula was greater than that of the northeast around the South Shetland Island. By calculating the four dominant tidal fluxes respectively, we found that the tidal fluxes of M2 were from the Pacific Ocean and Weddell Sea. The tidal fluxes of S2, K1, and O1 were from the Atlantic Ocean and Weddell Sea. In the Bransfield Strait area, there was 90.6 MW of total dissipated energy for the four tides, with the largest tidal dissipation occurring in O1, accounting for approximately 49.09% of the total tidal energy dissipated. Before the Weddell tidal energy fluxes entered the Bransfield Strait, Antarctica, the four tides dissipated a total of 278.87 MW. The S2 sub-tidal accounted for approximately 39.09% of the total energy dissipation.

Key words: Bransfield Strait, tidal numerical model, tidal energy analysis, finite volume community ocean model (FVCOM)