Study of ice cover impact on hydrodynamic processes in the Curonian Lagoon through numerical modeling

Summary In this study, we present an analysis of the hydrodynamic processes under ice cover in the largest lagoon in Europe – the Curonian Lagoon. By applying a finite element numerical modelling system (SHYFEM) and remote sensing ice cover data, the residual circulation, water fluxes through specific areas of the lagoon, saltwater intrusions, and water residence time (WRT) were investigated. The results, taken over an 11 year period, show that ice cover affects the circulation patterns in the lagoon by forming and shifting different gyre systems. Different circulation patterns are observed throughout all the meteorological seasons of the year. Since ice decreases circulation, water fluxes also decrease, especially in a cross-section in the middle of the lagoon, where the ice-cover suppressed wind-stress has a higher impact on the water movement rather than it has in the north. The presence of ice cover also decreases the salinity of the water in the northern part of the lagoon. In general, the salinity in the water column-averaged over different periods is vertically uniform, however, a slight increase of salt concentration can be observed at the bottom layers in the Klaipėda Strait, where the difference of >1 PSU between bottom and top layers shows up on average 130 hours per year. The ice cover also decreases the saltwater intrusions into the lagoon by nearly 14 days per year. The increase of WRT is most prominent after long ice cover periods, away from the river inlets, especially in the southern part of the lagoon, where without the help of the wind action, water takes a longer time to renew than in the northern part.