Physics of estuaries and coastal seas

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The objective of this program is to set up an original, basic and exploratory research and training program to study fundamental aspects of geophysical fluid mechanics through field experiments carried out in subarctic estuaries, fjords and coastal seas. The wish is to raise a new generation of creative, passionate and free scientific thinkers that will contribute to society not only because of the high-level technical skills they will acquire through this program but also because of the ability they will develop in engaging free critical thinking. ******More specifically, this program will address fondamental questions related to ocean turbulence and underwater waves. Field experiments will be carried out during the first two years in the Saguenay Fjord aboard the oceanographic research vessel Coriolis II and small research boats. We will measure how the flow properties and turbulence levels are affected by the underwater sills that characterize the bathymetry of the fjord. Numerical simulations will also be carried out in order to help understand some fundamental physical processes that cannot easily be measured in the field. We will also analyse satellite images in order to produce an atlas of sea surface patterns that reveal the presence of intriguing phenomena such as underwater waves and fronts. ******The impact of this research project are expected to be substantial in terms of advancement of fundamental knowledge on geophysical fluid mechanics and, of more regional interest, in terms of understanding the functioning of the St. Lawrence Estuary and Saguenay Fjord.