The anthropogenic tritium invasion, and its decay product helium-3, was simulated for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, using a high-resolution regional model (NEMO-MED12). The simulation covers the entire tritium (3H) transient generated by the atmospheric nuclear weapons tests performed in the 1950s and early 1960s and run until 2011. The model correctly simulates the main features of the thermohaline circulation in the Mediterranean Sea, with a realistic time compared to observations.

The Rockall Trough feeds warm salty water to Polar regions and the European Shelf. Detailed observations from an underwater glider show that a) the meandering surface current field in the central trough is driven by deep eddies; b) chance circulations deflect the eastern slope current and warm the western side; c) and altimeter observations omit the mean flow in the narrow slope current. There are wider implications for satellite altimeter observations, ocean monitoring and ocean model results.

Eddies in the South Indian Ocean (SIO) were statistically investigated based on 2082 surface drifters, and 19252 eddies were identified with 60% anticyclonic eddies. Mesoscale and submesoscale eddies show different spatial distributions. Large eddies mainly appear in regions with large eddy kinetic energy. The submesoscale anticyclonic eddies are densely distributed in the subtropical basin in the central SIO. The number of mesoscale eddies shows statistically significant seasonal variability.

The reproduction, survival, and transport of the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi was studied with three models in the Scheldt estuaries and the southern North Sea. The results suggest that (a) the estuaries can retain an overwintering population and seed offshore populations; (b) M. leidyi can survive in the North Sea, and be transported between coastal inlets; and (c) M. leidyi cannot reproduce well in the North Sea, but this might change with global warming. The models need further improvement.

A realistic ocean circulation model is adapted to explicitly simulate model uncertainties and an ensemble data assimilation -stochastic perturbations, altimetric data and 4-D observation operator- is developed in order to control the Gulf Stream dynamic. The performance of the ensemble system is measured through probabilistic approach; the update then adjusts the bias and the dispersion of the ensemble (reliability) and reduces the uncertainty by 30% (resolution) for the SSH variable.

Seiches in coastal bays can produce significant water level oscillations that impact maritime operations and introduce ecological stress. Monterey Bay, California, is found to have wave-driven short-period oscillations that can reinforce themselves, resulting in water level amplification. At longer periods the oscillations are not wave-driven and several potential forcing mechanisms are examined. A gyre offshore the bay is suggested as the driver, while other potential drivers are discounted.

Mean circulation in the eastern tropical South Pacific in 50-600m depth is modified by seasonal variability and eddies on the poleward side of the oxygen minimum zone(OMZ). Floats with parking depth at 400m show westward flow in the equatorial channel, sluggish flow in the northern part of the OMZ, and passage of eddies with oxygen anomalies. Net community production rates were estimated from a float. Oxygen decrease in 50-300m depth since 1976 is related to an increase in nitrate and phosphate.

The atmospheric drivers of the Benguela upwelling systems and its variability are statistically analysed with an ocean-only simulation over the last decades. Atmospheric upwelling-favourable conditions are southerly wind/wind stress, a strong subtropical anticyclone, and an ocean-land sea level pressure gradient as well as a negative ENSO and a positive AAO phase. No long-term trends of upwelling and of ocean-minus-land air pressure gradients, as supposed by Bakun, can be seen in our analysis.