Comparison of Finite Time Lyapunov Exponent and Mean Flow Energy during two contrasting years in the Adriatic Sea

In the present work we implement and employ Lagrangian transport models for basin scale circulation, with a particular focus on the Adriatic Sea in order to analyze and estimate the Finite-Time Lyapunov Exponent (FTLE) fields, the Mean Kinetic Energy and the Eddy Kinetic Energy of the flow. We compare FTLE fields obtained for two different years as sample cases (2007 with mild Winter and cold Autumn, 2008 with normal Winter and hot Summer) to study the superficial flow properties. Results obtained for FTLE maps and MKE show the effects on general circulation triggered by wind forcing and by the Po River outflow, on the value of transit and residence time of numerical particles in the Adriatic Sea.