Abstract

MORALES-ZARATE, MV; ARETXABALETA, AL; WERNER, FE  and  LLUCH-COTA, SE. Modeling winter circulation and particle retention in the Magdalena-Almejas Bay lagoon system (Baja California Sur, Mexico). Cienc. mar [online]. 2006, vol.32, n.4, pp.631-647. ISSN 0185-3880.

We describe circulation and passive particle transport in the Magdalena-Almejas Bay lagoon system through a linear circulation model in the frequency domain to obtain basic flux fields. The model is forced by tides, residual tides, mean wind speed, periodic winds (to simulate sea breeze), and an approximation of advection in the California Current. Two main experiments were performed: one to detect retention zones within the lagoon system and another to evaluate particle exchange between the lagoon system and the open ocean. We found that particles seeded within the system tend to remain inside and concentrate in restricted areas that correspond to the real distribution of benthic fish and that, under rare wind conditions, masses of particles seeded on the continental shelf could enter the lagoon system. The results are relevant for the general study of the system and for modeling and developing forecasts of the larval drift of important fish resources.

Keywords : modeling; larval drift; Magdalena Bay; particle retention.

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