01-05 December 2025
INCOIS, Hyderabad, India.
| Abstract Submission No. | ABS-06-0172 |
| Title of Abstract | Development of a High-Resolution Unstructured Coupled Ocean-Ecosystem Model for Simulating Coastal Dynamics over the Southeastern Arabian Sea Shelf |
| Authors | Alakes Samanta*, R. Prasanth, Govardhan Dandu, Linta Rose, Jithin Abraham K, Kunal Chakraborty, Abhra Chanda |
| Organisation | Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services |
| Address | Reception, INCOIS, Ocean Valley, Pragathi Nagar Hyderabad, Telangana, India Pincode: 500090 E-mail: samanta.a@incois.gov.in |
| Country | India |
| Presentation | Oral |
| Abstract | Under the Ocean Modeling Mission of INCOIS, a high and flexible resolution hydrodynamic model based on the Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM) has been configured to simulate coastal dynamics over the southeastern Arabian Sea shelf. The model⿿s mesh, with resolutions ranging from 200m to 8km, was generated using blended bathymetry from SRTM 1-arcsecond topography, SRTM 15-arcsecond bathymetry, and detailed Vembanad Lake bathymetry provided by various government agencies. A 10-year climatological simulation was carried out to stabilize the physical model before initiating interannual simulations for the period 2017-2024. A comprehensive performance assessment was conducted using data from moored buoys (off Kochi and Kollam), in-situ measurements, and remote sensing observations. Model-simulated temperature and salinity showed good agreement with the water quality buoy off Kochi (R2 = 0.92 and 0.65, RMSE = 1.13 °C and 0.91 PSU), the Kollam buoy (R2 = 0.92, RMSE = 0.84 °C), satellite observations (R2 = 0.87 - 0.93, RMSE = 0.54 - 1.04 °C), and in-situ CTD measurements (R2 = 0.80, RMSE = 1.75 °C). At 46 m depth at the ADCP location, the U-component of currents had correlation and RMSE values of 0.53 and 0.15 m/s, respectively, while the V-component recorded values of 0.43 and 0.16 m/s. Current patterns from the model were consistent with buoy observations and ADCP measurements, indicating realistic subsurface current structures. The model also captured key physical processes, including southwest monsoon-driven upwelling and seasonal current reversals along the Kerala coast. Following the performance evaluation, the model was coupled with the European Regional Seas Ecosystem Model (ERSEM), a well-established, lower-trophic-level marine food web and biogeochemical cycling model, via the Framework for Aquatic Biogeochemical Models (FABM) coupler. The climatological coupled model run is in progress, and an assessment of the biogeochemical state of the southeastern Arabian Sea shelf has yet to be undertaken. |
| Are you part of IIOE-2 endorsed project | no |
| Keywords | Southeastern Arabian Sea, FVCOM, Ocean Currents, Biogeochemical State. |
| For Awards | no |