Effects of Salinity Variations in the Labrador Sea: An evaluation of salinity effects on the Labrador Sea circulation through an idealized model

The Labrador Sea is one of the deep convection sites in the world's oceans and the water masses formed here are an important component of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). To study this linkage, one study in particular used an idealized model of the Labrador Sea where the density variations consists only of temperature...

Predicting the survival of coral reefs: A biophysical modelling approach

KEY POINTS (I) A biophysical model framework (BMF) for corals is developed in which four environmental factors are included: (1) light; (2) hydrodynamics; (3) temperature; and (4) acidity. (II) The full feedback loop between corals and their environment forms the core of this model framework, where the morphological...

A new convective model of the Weddell Polyny: Deep convection in the Southern Ocean

The Weddell Polynya, a large hole in the Antarctic sea ice, reappeared in 2017. The polynya forms due to deep convection, which is caused by static instability of the water column. Observations and model studies show periodic heat accumulation in the subsurface layer prior to a polynya. This heat accumulation could be caused by internal ocean...

Thermohaline staircases in the Caribbean Sea

Thermohaline staircases are characterised by stepped vertical temperature, salinity and density profiles, which are formed and maintained by the double diffusion of heat and salt. Because double diffusion is the primary mixing agent in regions with staircases, it is the topic of extensive studies. Previous studies, however, are mainly...

Sediment traps: for reducing maintenance dredging costs in the port of Rotterdam

Regular maintainance dredging is a large expense to the Port of Rotterdam, therefore the installation of sediment traps is considered. By increasing the bathymetry locally, an increase of local accumulation is expected and a decrease deeper in the harbour basin. This thesis describes the functioning of sediment traps in a stratified tidally...

Underwater Piling Noise: Predicting sound levels in water with the Underwater Acoustic Simulator

This thesis investigates the important physical processes related to underwater sound propagation due to offshore pile driving with the first commercial and numerical model called the Underwater Acoustic Simulator (UAS). To make adequately use of noise mitigation measures during offshore wind projects and to protect marine life the prediction of...

Ocean Current Patterns and variability around Curaçao for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

Large-scale changes in ocean conditions caused by installing and operating Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) have not been studied in depth. Conversely, the effect on an OTEC plant by oceanographic features are not researched in depth either. The aim of this research is to describe the natural patterns and variability of the ocean currents...