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The Campania coastal system (CCS), located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, is characterized by an interesting and complex morphology, being made by a sequence of three gulfs (Gaeta, Naples and Salerno, GG, GN, GS) of different sizes, shapes, and bathymetries. Until now, most of the oceanographic studies in the area have focused on the GN, whereas little is known about the circulation in the GG and GS. Here, for the first time, a high-resolution modelling study of the whole CCS has been carried out, which covers a whole year (2016), allowing for a detailed description of the seasonal variability throughout this year. For each season, the dynamics in the three gulfs have been characterized, assessing the relative roles of the wind forcing, the topographic constraints and the remote large-scale Tyrrhenian Sea circulation. As a first step, the surface circulation patterns in the CCS have been compared with altimeter observations and with the atmospheric forcing. A detailed analysis of the monthly mean surface and intermediate circulation within each gulf has then been performed. Besides, a more quantitative insight into the mechanisms controlling the circulation has been obtained using an integrated vorticity diagnostic, which allows one to separate different contributions to the total barotropic vorticity equation. The results show a strong seasonality of the circulation in the three gulfs, which is mainly controlled by the wind stress input during autumn and winter, whereas in spring and summer the main contribution comes from the combined effect of baroclinicity and topographic gradient (the JBAR term). The exchanges between the gulfs and the Tyrrhenian waters have also been quantified, through the analysis of the transport across specific sections. These transports are found to be highly correlated with the offshore large-scale circulation in the GG, whereas in the GS there is strong correlation with the local wind forcing. Finally, lower correlations are found for the more geometrically complex and semi-enclosed GN. • The marine circulation of the Campania Coastal System is simulated for the year 2016. • This is done with a local high-resolution model nested with a Mediterranean NEMO. • Dynamical investigation based on a vorticity and transport diagnostics is performed. • The relative role of the atmospheric and remote Tyrrhenian forcings is assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an analysis of the energy associated with the surface current field measured by a CODAR HF radar system (managed by University of Naples Parthenope) in the Gulf of Naples (Tyrrhenian Sea). The total flow is decomposed into a mean and a fluctuating component obtained through a running average with T=24 h. The associated kinetic energies have been analysed in relation to the wind stress work (WSW) obtained from wind data measured by a weather station located in the Port of Naples (managed by Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, ISPRA) during the periods from 24 May to 6 June and from 24 November to 8 December 2008. In spring, the kinetic energy associated with the fluctuating flow (FKE) prevails over that associated with the mean flow (MKE); on the contrary, in autumn, the MKE prevails over the FKE. Moreover, good correlation is found between the WSW and the FKE during autumn in the outer part of the Gulf, while lower correlations are found during spring. Further analyses are carried out by means of weekly hindcasts performed with a high-resolution ocean circulation model implemented in the wider area of the Campania coastal system. This has allowed us to identify further effects that, in addition to the WSW, could play a role in determining the observed seasonal variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]