My interests as a physical oceanographer include numerical and observational modeling of circulation and water quality in the ocean and Puget Sound. Beginning in June of 1998, I have been a Co-chief Scientist for the PRISM Semi-Annual Hydrographic Survey of Puget Sound through the School of Oceanography.
Research
With numerical and theoretical modeling, my research focuses on seasonal and interannual variablility of estuarine and fjord circulation, population connectivity in estuarine environments, and marine renewable energy sources.
Funded Research
A Partnership for Modeling the Marine Environment of Puget Sound, Washington (PSMEM), $3,637,927, Office of Naval Research / National Oceanographic Partnership Program, Chief Principal Investigator, Project Manager. 3/25/02 - 12/31/08.
Hood Canal Dissolved Oxygen Program - Integrated Assessment and Modeling (HCDOP-IAM) Study, $345,041, Department of Navy, Co-principal Investigator. 2/18/05 - 9/30/08
Larval Rockfish Dispersal Rates from Oceanography, Genetics and Otolith Marks, $348,759, Washington Sea Grant, Co-principal Investigator, 2/1/07 - 1/31/09.
Enhancing the RCOOS of NANOOS, $76,993, NOAA, Co-principal Investigator, 10/1/07 - 9/30/10.
Pacific Northwest Marine Renewable Energy Center, $1,250,000, U.S. Department of Energy, Co-principal Investigator, 10/1/08 – 9/30/13.
- Hood Canal Dissolved Oxygen Program
- Rockfish Populations
- Tidal Currents as Energy
Computer Modeling
Seasonal variability of the exchange circulation in Hood Canal, Washington is studied using a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model of the circulation forced with climatological seasonal river discharge and salinity outside the mouth of the canal. River discharge and salinity are varied both individually as well as together to study their relative importance in generating variability. Deep inflow into the canal has a maximum transport in August – Septepmer and a minimum in January. Most of the variability still exists when the river discharge is held constant and only the external salinity is varied; with only the river varying, the maximum transport occurs in January, the minimum in September, and the amplitude of the variability is much reduced. There are significant seasonal changes in the vertical structure of the inflow. The peak inflow during August – September reaches deep, coinciding with the dense water intrusion. In November the inflow core rises to mid-depth and stays there until the next June, while the near-bottom layer becomes almost stagnant. This switch between two- and two-and-half-layer circulation agrees with the observed rising of the sequestered oxygen minimum layer to just below the pycnocline in September, and the subsequent mid-depth ventilation of the canal in winter and the spring.
While adult brown rockfish don't move much from their rocky terrain, their offspring do, and no one really knows what becomes of the baby rockfish once they're hatched. Strong currents may have a significant impact on the dispersal of these baby rockfish, sending them out of Marine Protected Areas and into the unknown. Scientists would like to know whether they make it to the next protected area or not, which would increase biodiversity and therefore, the overal health of these protected locations. To estimate rockfish dispersal, scientists have been refering to models of Puget Sound and oceanographic drifters.
Please Click Here for more information about this project.
Together with Snohomish County PUD, Dr. Kawase explores possibilities for capturing the renewable energy generated by tidal currents. Several sites in Puget Sound are under investigation: Spieden Channel, San Juan Channel, Guemes Channel, Decption Pass, Admiralty Inlet, Agate Passage and Rich Passage. These sites could potentially contribute, on average, over 100 MW if they get developed.
Classes
Introduction to Field Oceanography (OCEAN 220; Spring; 2002-2003, 2004-2005, 2005-2006)
Physical Processes in the Ocean (OCEAN 420; Winter; 2005-2006, 2007-2008)
Special Topics in Physical Oceanography (OCEAN 421; Spring; 2007-2008)
Ocean Dynamics (OCEAN 422; Spring; 2003-2004)
Current Problems in Oceanography (OCEAN 500; Autumn/Winter; 2002-2003, 2003-2004)
Introduction to Fluid Dynamics (OCEAN 511; Autumn; 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2006-2007)
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics I (OCEAN 512; Winter; 2002-2003)
Topics in Physical Oceanography (OCEAN 569; Autumn/Spring; 2003-2004, 2007-2008)
Return HomeRecent Publications
Kawase, M. (1998) A numerical model of Puget Sound circulation, Puget Sound Research ’98 Conference Proceedings, Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team, Olympia, WA, 209-216.
Martin, S. and M. Kawase (1998) The role of the southern flux of sea ice in the Tatarskiy Strait of the Japan Sea in the generation of the Liman Current. Journal of Marine Research, 56: 141-155. [Abstract]
Straneo, F. and M. Kawase (1999) Comparisons of localized convection due to localized forcing and to preconditioning. Journal of Physical Oceanography 29, 55-68. [Abstract]
Straneo, F., M. Kawase and S. Riser (2002) Idealized model of slantwise convection in a baroclinic flow. Journal of Physical Oceanography 32, 558-572. [Abstract]
Garcia Berdeal, I., B.M. Hickey and M. Kawase (2002) Influence of wind stress and ambient flow on a high discharge river plume. Journal of Geophysical Research, 107, 13-1 – 13-24.
Straneo, F., M. Kawase and R. Pickart (2002) Effects of wind on convection in baroclinic flows. Journal of Physical Oceanography. 32, 2603-2618. [Abstract]
Ebbesmeyer, C.C, G.A. Cannon, B.J. Nairn, M. Kawase and W.P. Fox (2002). Puget Sound physical oceanography related to the Triple Junction region. Final Report for King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, November 2002. 167 pp.
Kawase, M., and C.P. Sarason (2005), Simulation of Puget Sound hydrography and circulation, Spring - Summer 2004, Puget Sound – Georgia Basin Research Conference 2005 Proceedings.
Babson, A.L., M. Kawase and P. MacCready (2006) Seasonal and interannual variability in the circulation of Puget Sound, Washington: a box model study. Atmosphere-Ocean, 44, 29-45. [Abstract]
Edwards, K.A., M. Kawase and C.P. Sarason (2007) Circulation in Carr Inlet, Puget Sound during spring 2003. Estuaries and Coasts, 30, 945–958. [Abstract]
Leonov, D., and M. Kawase (2008), Sill dynamics and fjord deep water renewal: idealized modeling study. Continental Shelf Research, doi:10.1016/j.csr.2008.04.005. [Abstract]
Polagye, B., P. Malte, M. Kawase, and D. Durran (2008), Effect of large-scale kinetic power extraction on time-dependent estuaries, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A, Journal of Power and Energy, accepted.
Moore, S.K., N. Mantua, M. Kawase, J.A. Newton, M.J. Warner and J.P. Kellogg (2008), A descriptive analysis of temporal and spatial patterns of variability in Puget Sound oceanographic properties. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Sciences, accepted.
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