Integrated Modelling of the Belgian Coastal Zone

A three-dimensional baroclinic tidal model including prognostic salinity and temperature is used to study the correlation between temperature and salinity gradients in a buoyant river plume. A hindcast of the development of salinities and temperatures in the Rhine plume during a typical late spring/early summer period is carried out. Model results are compared with in situ and remotely sensed data. Observed and computed sea surface temperature data are in good agreement. Both show an increased day/night variability after the onset of salinity stratification. The computed halocline coincides with the computed thermocline.