Spectral variability in high frequency in sea level and atmospheric pressure on Buenos Aires Coast, Argentina

Existem evidências observacionais que apoiam a ideia de que as ondas de gravidade atmosféricas são um forçante eficiente para os tsunamis meteorológicos (meteotsunamis) na região da costa da província de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Os meteotsunamis e as ondas de gravidade atmosférica que se propagam simultaneamente na superfície do mar e na atmosfera, respectivamente, são exemplos típicos de sinais geofísicos não estacionários. Neste trabalho investiga-se a variabilidade de meteotsunamis e de ondas de gravidade atmosférica medidas em Mar del Plata. Os resultados obtidos mostram que os ondeletas para os meteotsunamis e as ondas de gravidade são relativamente semelhantes. Isso reforça a ideia da relação causa (ondas de gravidade atmosférica) efeito (meteotsunamis) entre ambos. No entanto, vários episódios muito curtos de moderada a baixa atividade de ondas de gravidade atmosféricas foram detectados sem detectar atividade meteotsunami. Por outro lado, encontrou-se que a energia espectral das ondas de gravidade atmosférica pode aparecer nos ondeletas como uma simples ou múltipla irrupção, como eventos irregulares relativamente longos, ou como pacotes de ondas regulares. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho proporcionam informação espectral sobre as ondas de gravidade atmosférica na região costeira da província de Buenos Aires. Esta informação poderia ser útil para incluí-la em modelos numéricos realistas, com o objetivo de investigar a gênese desta complexa interação oceano-atmosfera.There are some observational evidences which support that atmospheric gravity waves constitute an efficient forcing for meteorological tsunamis (meteotsunamis) along the coast of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Meteotsunamis and atmospheric gravity waves, which propagate simultaneously on the sea surface and the atmosphere, respectively, are typical examples of non-stationary geophysical signals. The variability of meteotsunamis and atmospheric gravity waves recorded at Mar del Plata was investigated in this paper. Results obtained in this work reinforce the idea of a cause (atmospheric gravity waves) effect (meteotsunami) relationship, because wavelet spectra obtained from both signals resulted quite similar. However, several very short episodes of mod-erate/low activity of atmospheric gravity waves were detected without detecting meteotsunami activity. On the other hand, it was found that atmospheric gravity wave spectral energy can appear in the wavelets as a single or multiple burst as relatively long and irregular events or as regular wave packets. Results obtained in this paper provide original spectral data about atmospheric gravity waves along the coast of Buenos Aires. This information is useful to be included in realistic numerical models in order to investigate the genesis of this complex atmosphere-ocean interaction

An explanation of the generating process of long ocean waves on the coast of Buenos Aires province, Argentine Republic

En las distintas estaciones mareográficas ubicadas en mar libre y en los puertos emplazados en la costa de la provincia de Buenos Aires, frecuentemente se registran oscilaciones del nivel del agua con períodos comprendidos entre algunos minutos hasta casi 3 horas, las cuales son conocidas en la región como ondas de largo período (OLP). Aunque en términos generales las OLP pueden ser generadas por forzantes de origen meteorológico, sísmico u oceánico, los antecedentes y los datos disponibles indican que el origen de las mismas en la zona citada se debe a causas atmosféricas. Entre ellas, los potenciales mecanismos generadores son los pasajes frontales, las líneas de inestabilidad y las ondas de gravedad atmosféricas. En esta tesis se investiga un aspecto particular de la compleja interacción entre la atmósfera y el océano, con El objetivo fundamental de explicar el mecanismo por el cual se generan las OLP en la región costera bonaerense. En primer lugar, se digitalizaron los registros analógicos de marea obtenidos en las estaciones Mar de Ajó, Pinamar y Mar del Plata en 1982, año de mayor medición simultánea. Luego, los datos resultantes se filtraron con el objeto de aislar convenientemente al fenómeno de interés y, mediante la aplicación de técnicas espectrales se determinaron los lapsos temporales de mayor intensidad energética de OLP en la región. Se estableció una cota para delimitar objetivamente los intervalos con presencia de OLP, resultando as¡ siete lapsos activos sobre los cuales se centró el análisis y la discusión referente a la descripción de la variabilidad temporal y espacial de las ondas estudiadas. Del análisis espectral realizado surge que, en las tres estaciones mareográficas citadas precedentemente, la energía total se incrementa desde valores casi nulos hasta máximos, y luego decrece nuevamente hasta casi cero, lo cual evidencia claramente la transitoriedad del fenómeno. Por otro lado, durante los lapsos activos se detecta que las débiles perturbaciones de alta frecuencia sólo ocurren en el momento de mayor intensidad energética y, en cambio, las ondas de mayor período est n presentes antes, durante y después del mismo. Algunos picos espectrales pueden presentarse en una estación y no en otras, consecuencia de que la topografía de cada sitio ofrece su particular amplificación a las diversas frecuencias. Por otra parte, los relativamente altos valores de coherencia estimados entre los registros del nivel del mar correspondientes a las estaciones Mar de Ajó y Mar del Plata muestran claramente la naturaleza regional del fenómeno. En lo que respecta a la información meteorológica, se utilizaron registros horarios de la presión atmosférica y del viento en superficie, obtenidos en las estaciones costeras disponibles y, además, los mapas sinópticos de superficie correspondientes a cada uno de los siete lapsos activos determinados. Del análisis conjunto entre los datos meteorológicos y oceanográficos surge que los eventos de mayor intensidad energética de OLP coinciden siempre con lapsos de mínimos relativos de presión atmosférica. Además, en los mapas sinópticos de superficie correspondientes a cada evento seleccionado se observa sugestivamente el pasaje de frentes por la región marítima de influencia y, en ninguno de ellos, la presencia de líneas de inestabilidad. Dado que durante los lapsos activos los datos horarios mostraban, en general, fluctuaciones de la presión de hasta 2.8 hPa/h y ráfagas de hasta 36 nudos y, por otro lado, que las OLP se manifestaban, en muchos casos, antes que se produjeran los pasajes frontales, la posibilidad que las ondas de gravedad atmosféricas (OGA) en la zona marítima estudiada fuese un mecanismo generador eficaz de OLP cobró un interés relevante. Por esto, se realizó un estudio comparativo entre la presencia de actividad de OLP en Mar del Plata y de OGA en Faro Punta M‚danos, entre los años 1984 y 1986, ya que en 1982 no se tienen datos de microbarógrafos. Del mismo resultó una alta correlación en la ocurrencia simultánea de ambos fenómenos.Por otro lado, el hecho que los espectros de las OGA en la zona mostraban contribuciones energéticas importantes en la misma banda de frecuencias que los de las OLP confirmaron la estrecha vinculación entre ambos fenómenos. Además, la función coherencia estimada entre los niveles del agua en Mar del Plata y las perturbaciones b ricas en Punta Médanos indicaba que los picos de energía de ambos fenómenos se presentan en frecuencias próximas. Finalmente, durante los lapsos de intensa actividad de OLP, el estado de la atmósfera en superficie y la circulación en altura es similar al citado en la bibliografía disponible para los lapsos de actividad de OGA de gran amplitud y de condiciones de propagación favorables. Es decir, en dichos casos se detectaba la presencia de frentes en superficie y de la corriente en chorro en los niveles superiores de la troposfera. Todo lo expresado precedentemente conducía a que la generación de OLP en las aguas de la plataforma continental bonaerense tendría dos potenciales forzantes: los pasajes de frentes y la actividad de las OGA. La efectividad de cada uno se evaluó mediante la utilización de un modelo matemático convenientemente implementado. Para tal fin, se desarrolló uno bidimensional, el cual resuelve numéricamente las ecuaciones de conservación de masa y de cantidad de movimiento verticalmente integradas, y permite la inclusión de batimetría irregular y geografía con gran aproximación a la situación real. Para el estudio de la generación de OLP se representó, analíticamente, un forzante que simulaba el campo b rico y el del viento correspondiente al pasaje de un frente frío por la zona marítima de influencia, y otro, a la actividad de OGA en la región. Luego de numerosas simulaciones numéricas puede concluirse que, tanto El campo b rico, el de viento o la combinación de ambos, asociados a los pasajes frontales no generan OLP en la región, sino que producen perturbaciones con períodos superiores a las cuatro horas. En contraposición, los resultados obtenidos con las OGA en distintos experimentos indican que constituyen un forzante altamente eficaz para la generación de OLP. Dada la simultaneidad en la ocurrencia de actividad de OGA y de OLP, las similitudes en la estructura espectral de ambos fenómenos ondulatorios (ambas características observadas a través del análisis de los datos disponibles) y la alta efectividad en la transferencia energética a través de la interacción atmósfera océano (lo cual surge de las distintas simulaciones realizadas), puede concluirse que en la zona costera bonaerense la generación de ondas de largo período es causada por la actividad de las ondas de gravedad atmosféricas en dicha región.In different tide stations at the open sea and at the ports on Buenos Aires coast, water level oscillations which are locally known as long ocean waves (LOW) generally range from a few minutes to almost three hours. Although generally LOW may be originated by meteorological, seismic, or oceanic causes, the antecedents and the available data indicate that the origin of said ocean waves in the mentioned area is due to atmospheric causes. Among them, the potential generator mechanisms are passages of fronts, squall lines, and atmospheric gravity waves. In this thesis, the object of investigation is a particular aspect of the complex interaction between the atmosphere and the ocean, and its fundamental aim is explaining the mechanism by means of which the LOW are generated on Buenos Aires coastal area. In the first place, analogous tide measurements taken in Mar de Aj¢, Pinamar and Mar del Plata stations during 1982, year of maximum simultaneous registration, were digitalized. Then, theoutcoming data were filtered with the object of conveniently isolating the phenomenon of interest and, by applying spectral techniques, the temporal lapses of higher energetic intensity of LOW in the area were determined. An energy level was established in order to delimit, in an objective way, the LOW intervals. The result were seven active lapses on which the analysis and the argumentation about the description of the temporal and spatial variability of the studied waves were centred on. Resulting from spectral analysis performed we may say that in the three tide stations previously mentioned, the total energy increases from almost non-existent values to maximum ones, which decrease again to almost zero. These values clearly evidence the temporariness of the phenomenon. On the other hand, during the active lapses, that weak high-frequency disturbances are detected to occur only at the moment of highest energetic intensity and, instead, the longest-period waves are present before, during and after said moment. Some spectral peaks can appear in one station and not in others, this being a consequence of the fact that the topography of each place offers its particular amplification to the various frequencies. Furthermore, the relatively high coherence values estimated between sea level records corresponding to Mar de Aj¢ and Mar del Plata stations, clearly show the regional nature of the phenomenon. In regard to the meteorological information, we used hourly records of atmospheric pressure and surface wind, both of which were gathered at the available coast stations and, from the surface synoptic charts corresponding to each one of the seven active lapses determined. From the joint analysis of the meteorological and oceanographic data, there results that the events of highest energetic intensity of LOW always coincide with the lapses of relative minimum of atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, in surface synoptic charts corresponding to each of the selected events the passage of fronts at the maritime area of influence is suggestively observed and, in none of them the presence of squall lines are observed. Due to the fact that during the active lapses the hourly data showed, in general, pressure fluctuations of up to 2.8 hPa/h and gusts of up to 36 knots and that, on the other hand, the LOW were displayed, in many cases, before the passage of fronts had taken place, the possibility that the atmospheric gravity waves (AGW) in the sea area subject to this study were an effective LOWgenerator, became relevantly interesting. Considering the above said, a comparative study was carried out between the presence of LOW activity in Mar del Plata and the presence of AGW in Punta M‚danos Lighthouse (Faro Punta M‚danos), during the years 1984 and 1986 - for there was no microbarographic data gathered during 1982. The result of the study hereinbefore referred to, was the determination of a high degree of correlation in the simultaneous occurrence of both phenomena. On the other hand, the fact that the AGW spectrum in the area showed relevant energetic contributions in the same frequency band as the LOW ones, confirmed the close relation existing between both phenomena. Furthermore, the coherence function estimated between water levels in Mar del Plata and baric disturbances in Punta M‚danos indicated that the energy peaks of said phenomena were located in close frequencies. Finally, during those lapses of LOW intense activity, the status of the atmosphere in its surface and the circulation in altitude was similar to the one quoted in the available bibliography for those lapses of AGW great comprehensive activity and of propitious propagation conditions. That is to say, in said cases the presence of fronts in the surface and of jet streams in the superior levels of the troposphere were detected. All of the above mentioned led to the fact that the LOW generation in continental shelf waters of the province of Buenos Aires would have two potential causes: the passages of fronts and the AGW activity. The effectiveness of each of them was evaluated by means of the use of a mathematical model conveniently implemented. For said purpose, a bidimensional model, which numerically solved the equations of mass conservation and momentum vertically integrated was developed. Besides, it allowed the inclusion of irregular bathymetry and geography with great approximation to the real situation. For the study of the LOW generation a forcing for simulating a baric field and a wind field corresponding to the passage of a cold front through the sea area of influence, and another one for representing the local AGW activity, were built up in an analytical manner. After numerous numerical simulations, we were able to draw the conclusion that, the baric field, the wind field, or the combination of both, coupled with the passages of fronts, do not generate LOW in the area, but they produce disturbances with periods which exceed the four hours. As a counterpart, the results obtained with the AGW in different experiments showed that they constitute a cause highly effective for the generation of LOW. Due to the simultaneity of occurrence of both the activities of the AGW and of the LOW, the similarities of the spectral structures of both waving phenomena (both characteristics having been observed through an analysis of the available data), and the high effectiveness in the energetic transference by means of the ocean-atmospheric interaction (which derives from the different simulations carried out), it is possible to conclude that in the Buenos Aires coastal area, the generation of long period waves is caused by the activity of the atmospheric gravity waves in said area.Fil:Dragani, Walter César. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina

Hydrodynamic numerical simulation at the mouths of the Parana and Uruguay rivers and the upper Rio de la Plata estuary: A realistic boundary condition

A hydrodynamic numerical study at the mouths of the Paraná and Uruguay rivers and the upper Río de la Plata is presented in this paper. Water Quality Mapping numerical model was implemented and realistic and very simple boundary conditions were specially developed for this complex estuarial system. A set of numerical experiments were carried out using different constant discharges for the Paraná and Uruguay rivers but unrealistic currents were generated. In order to obtain more realistic results, a set of numerical simulations were carried out imposing water level timeseries at the open boundaries. M2, S2, K1 and O1 harmonic constants were used to generate water levels at Zárate (Paraná river), Nueva Palmira (Uruguay river) and the eastern boundary of the domain (La Plata-Colonia). A mean water level equal to zero was set between La Plata and Colonia. Positive mean water levels (0.3-0.4m) were imposed at Zárate and Nueva Palmira to simulate the hydraulic slope of both rivers and, consequently, to generate realistic and unsteady discharges. These boundary conditions, built by means of the addition of a mean water level and the astronomical tide, significantly improve the simulated currents at the northernmost region of the RDP estuary.Fil: Prario, Bárbara Elizabeth. Ministerio de Defensa. Armada Argentina. Servicio de Hidrografía Naval; ArgentinaFil: Dragani, Walter Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Ministerio de Defensa. Armada Argentina. Servicio de Hidrografía Naval; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y los Océanos; ArgentinaFil: Mediavilla, Dernis. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y los Océanos; ArgentinaFil: D'Onofrio, Enrique. Ministerio de Defensa. Armada Argentina. Servicio de Hidrografía Naval; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y los Océanos; Argentin

Numerical simulation of wind waves on the Río de la Plata: evaluation of four global atmospheric databases

The performance of NCEP/NCAR I, NCEP/DOE II, JRA-25 and ERA-Interim global databases, implemented as atmospheric forcings of the SWAN model in the Río de la Plata region, was quantitatively tested by calculating the bias, the mean square root error, the determination coefficient and the slope of the line fitted between observed and simulated wave parameters (significant wave height, mean period and direction). Even though statistical estimators showed no evident differences for wave periods and directions some noticeable differences were observed for simulated significant wave heights depending on the forcing used. The lowest bias (0.22 m) was obtained when the SWAN model was forced by ERA-Interim. With regard to the mean square root errors, the lowest values were obtained when NCEP/NCAR I (0.16 m) and NCEP/DOE II (0.19 m) were used as forcing. In addition, the best slope for simulated heights (0.79) was obtained using NCEP/DOE II. Computed determination coefficients for heights, periods and directions were very similar (0.89-0.93) for all the simulations carried out in this study. Energetic and severe wave events were given special consideration. The most energetic wave episode recorded in the Río de la Plata mouth (24 August, 2005) was analyzed and discussed in particular. It was concluded that during energetic atmospheric conditions the best agreement is achieved by implementing NCEP/DOE II as forcing. In the light of these results it is concluded that NCEP/DOE II is the most suitable atmospheric forcing to simulate wave heights with the SWAN model in the Río de la Plata region.Na região do Rio de la Plata, o desempenho das reanálises globais do NCEP/NCAR I, NCEP/DOE II, JRA-25 e ERAInterim implementadas como forçantes atmosféricas do modelo SWAN foram quantitativamente acessados através do viés, erro quadrático médio, coeficiente de determinação e inclinação da reta. Estes índices foram obtidos dos parâmetros de ondas observados e simulados (alturas significativas de ondas, período principal e direção). Embora as estimativas estatísticas não mostrem diferenças evidentes para períodos e direções, algumas diferenças notáveis foram obtidas para altura de ondas simuladas, dependendo do vento utilizado. O menor viés para altura significativa (0.22 m) foi obtido quando o SWAM foi forçado com a ERAInterim, enquanto o NCEP/NCAR I (0.16 m) e NCEP/DOE II (0.19 m) forneceram menor erro quadrático médio. A melhor inclinação da reta entre simulação e observação de altura significativa (0.79) foi obtida usando NCEP/DOE II. No período de estudo, o maior episódio de onda registrado na boca do Río de la Plata foi analisado e discutido. Neste evento de condições atmosféricas energéticas o melhor ajuste foi alcançado utilizando os ventos do NCEP/DOE II como forçante. Conclui-se que a base de dados NCEP/DOE II é forçante atmosférica mais adequada para simular alturas significativas de ondas com o modelo SWAN na região estudada

Propagation and amplification of tide at the Bransfield and Gerlache Straits, northwestern Antarctic Peninsula

The propagation and amplification of the tide at the Gerlache and Bransfield Straits, northwestern side of the Antarctic Peninsula, was studied by analysis of thirteen series of direct sea level measurements. Harmonic analysis was performed to obtain the amplitudes and phases of the M_2, S_2, O_1 and K_1 tidal constituents. Based on the computed harmonic constants, cotidal and corange charts of these main constituents were prepared. The M_2 cotidal lines are parallel to the coast and show predominantly southeastward propagation, except at the western side of the Trinity Peninsula, where the M_2 wave pivots to enter the Bransfield Strait from the Weddell Sea and turns southwestward. M_2 amplitudes present a southwestward decrease. S_2 cotidal lines are normal to the Antarctic Peninsula coast and show southwestward propagation. S_2 corange lines increase eastward from the Gerlache Strait to the Antarctic Strait. O_1 and K_1 cotidal lines are also normal to the Antarctic Peninsula coast. Diurnal amplitudes are alike in the study area except at the northwestern side of the Antarctic Strait where they present a maximum gradient. Amplitudes of the main tidal constituents are higher in the northwestern Weddell Sea than at the northwestern side of the peninsula. This fact explains the maximum tidal amplitudes observed at the Antarctic Strait in comparison to the Bransfield Strait

Propagation and amplification of tide at the northeastern coast of the Antarctic peninsula: an observational study

The amplification and propagation of the tide at the northeastern coast of the Antarctic Peninsula was studied by analysis of instantaneous sea levels measured at the tidal station of Base Esperanza,at the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula (63゜22.46\u27S, 56゜59.33\u27W) ,at the northeastern coast of Marambio Island (Seymour Island,64゜14.11\u27S, 56゜34.51\u27W) and near Base Matienzo,Larsen nunatak (64゜54.23\u27S, 60゜2.60\u27W) at the edge of the Larsen ice-shelf. By means of harmonic analysis the amplitudes and phases of the most energetic ten tidal constituents were obtained.The tidal regime was typified by means of the factor F and a preponderantly semidiurnal mixed tide was obtained. Signi ficant southward amplification was observed in the amplitudes of semidiurnal constituents,and a less evident amplification was obtained in diurnal ones.Consequently,slightly southward diminution in factor F,from 0.75 (Esperanza) to 0.6 (Matienzo),was found.Bothsouthward amplification in amplitudes and northward propagation of the main tidal constituents obtained from numerical global models show good agreement with the present observations

Rio de la Plata estuary response to wind variability in synoptic to intraseasonal scales: 2. Currents' vertical structure and its implications for the salt wedge structure

The first acoustic Doppler current profiler current data collected at two locations of the Río de la Plata salt wedge during a period of around 6 months and salinity profiles gathered at and around those locations are used to study the vertical structure of currents' response to wind variability in synoptic to intraseasonal timescales and its implications for stratification. Results indicate that the estuary rapidly responds to prevailing southwesterlies/northeasterlies with currents that decay toward the bottom with only little rotation in depth. For the less frequent southeasterlies/northwesterlies the estuary develops a strong vertical structure with a defined inversion in current direction between surface and bottom layers. These patterns derive from the estuary's geometry and bathymetry. Results have important implications for the salinity vertical structure that are verified on the analyzed profiles. First, the combination of the bathymetry and coastline with the prevailing wind variability is highly favorable to the maintenance of a salt wedge structure in this estuary. Second, weakening and eventually breakdown of stratification can only occur for intense and/or persistent southeasterly winds, which even can be very strong, are not frequent. This can explain why the Río de la Plata displays the unusual feature of being an area of spawning and a nursery for a number of coastal species that use the wedge as an essential element for their reproduction. Results show that stratification is highly affected by short-term wind variability, which is its major characteristic in the area, changing the classical concept of summer-winter seasonality as the main feature of estuarine variability.Fil: Simionato, Claudia Gloria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y los Océanos; ArgentinaFil: Meccia, Virna Loana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera; ArgentinaFil: Guerrero, Raul. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Dragani, Walter Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y los Océanos; Argentina. Ministerio de Defensa. Armada Argentina. Servicio de Hidrografía Naval; ArgentinaFil: Nuñez, Mario Nestor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y los Océanos; Argentin

A numerical study of the ocean circulation around the northern Antarctic Peninsula: Barotropic response to tidal forcing

A high-resolution shallow water model was implemented to study tidal propagation around the northern Antarctic Peninsula. Numerical experiments were done using a grid with 3.00′longitude and 1.05′latitude resolution. Amplitudes and phases of the four main tidal constituents (M_2, S_2, K_1 and O_1) were used to force the model. Modeled sea levels and currents were compared with observations. The modeled cotidal, corange and tidal ellipse axis obtained by harmonic analysis from model results are in good agreement with those of available observations. Given the good correspondence between harmonic constants obtained from model results and from observed hourly sea levels, the energy flux and dissipation by bottom friction were computed. The most intense energy fluxes are related to the semidiurnal constituents. The highest values are present in the Weddell Sea and the energy flux shows a relative maximum at the Antarctic Strait, flowing from the Weddell Sea to Bransfield Strait. Nearly all the dissipation occurs in the Antarctic Strait (maximum value ～0.25Wm^(-2)) and around the South Shetland Islands. The total tidal energy lost to bottom friction in our 4-constituent model is about 1.5GW, giving a domain-averaged value of ～0.002Wm^(-2)