The effect of a promontory on the passive tracers advected by a coastal current: A full three-dimensional numerical study

The coupling of a community three-dimensional primitive equation model with a three-dimensional Lagrangian dispersion model is used to describe with sufficient accuracy the temporal and spatial evolution of passive tracers released along a coast characterized by the presence of a cape. The simulations show how different initial conditions influence dispersion properties in a stratified sea, also to provide some insight on the valuation of the environmental impact of pollutants released along the coast. Finally, the power spectra content in a well-defined frequency range of the internal gravity waves is interpreted on the basis of vortex shedding in the lee of the promontory.