Analysis of the inlet currents of Grado-Marano Lagoon system and comparison with the Venetian Lagoon (northern Adriatic Sea)

The flow through the Grado-Marano lagoon inlets is tidally driven: more than 90% of the energy is due to the astronomical forcing [1]. The second source of variability is due to the Adriatic seiches accounting for 7% of the total kinetic energy. Local winds are responsible of the variability in the ,residual currents (tides and seiches removed). NE Bora wind increases the residual inflow into the lagoon through the easternmost inlet and favouring the outflow through the westernmost inlet. Such a behaviour is similar to what has been reported for another Northern Adriatic lagoon, namely the Venetian lagoon.