Multiscale Physical and Biological Dynamics in the Philippines Archipelago: Predictions and Processes

The Philippine Archipelago is remarkable by the complexity of its geometry with multiple islands and passages and by its multiscale dynamics from the large-scale open-ocean and atmospheric forcing to the strong tides and internal waves in narrow straits and at steep shelfbreaks. We utilize our multi-resolution modeling system to predict and study multiscale dynamics in the region without the use of any synoptic in situ data so as to evaluate modeling capabilities when only sparse remotely sensed sea surface height is available for assimilation. We focus on the Feb.-Mar. 2009 period and compare our simulation results to ocean observations. The oceanographic findings include a presentation of the various biogeochemical features forecast in real-time, a description of the main circulation features, the evolution of flow fields within three major straits, the estimation of transports to and from the Sulu Sea and the corresponding balances, and finally an investigation of multiscale mechanisms involved in the formation of the deep Sulu Sea water. Sponsored in part by Office of Naval Research Grants nos. N00014-07-1-1061 and N00014-08-1-1097. Submitted to Oceanography, Special Philippines Straits Dynamics Experiment (PhilEx) Issue, in press.