Projects
Virtual Laboratory (ViLab) − system for monitoring the variability of physical parameters in the atmosphere, air-sea boundary layer and sea
| Project website | http://www.izor.hr/web/guest/virtual-laboratory |  |
| Title | Virtual Laboratory (ViLab) - system for monitoring the variability of physical parameters in the atmosphere, air-sea boundary layer and sea |
| Abstract | The basic idea for establishment of Virtual Laboratory as a inter-institutional laboratory between Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries and the State Meteorological Office has been to monitor the variability of physical parameters in the atmosphere, air-sea boundary layer and sea, as a basis for understanding the complex dynamics of the Adriatic Sea. Using modern methods of measurement and analysis with modern information technologies, the ViLab site provides information of measured and estimated parameters in the atmosphere and the sea at various spatial and temporal scales. Physical processes in the sea largely depend on the atmospheric influences. In coastal areas and marginal seas, such as the Adriatic Sea, the primary process is the exchange of mass at the sea surface where the wind is an important factor influencing the surface and deeper layer currents. Wind causes vertical mixing, water mass transport and convection, and evaporation from the surface and latent heat loss. Therefore, the analysis and forecast of spatial and temporal variability of the wind speed and direction in the Adriatic is integral part of the study of interactions between the atmosphere and the sea, as well as dynamic processes in the sea. The simplest method of monitoring dynamic processes in the sea is to monitor the variability of buoyancy-driven circulation. Temperature and salinity of the water column are continuously monitored at several profiles across the Adriatic since 50-ies last century. Vertical profiles of temperature and salinity in a near real time (immediately after the measurements) are available in graphical form at http://www.izor.hr/web/guest/virtual-laboratory. |
| Key words | ALADIN, atmosphere, air-sea boundary layer, thermohaline circulation |
| Contact person | dr.sc. Branka Grbec, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split, grbec(at)izor.hr
dr.sc. Alica Bajić, DHMZ, Zagreb, alica.bajic(at)cirus.dhz.hr |
| Duration | 2009 - 2022 |
| Cooperation | Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries
Meteorological and Hydrological Service of Croatia |