Modeling wind-driven circulation in Lake Ladoga

The goal of this paper is to present circulation patterns in Lake Ladoga occurring during episodes of strong wind. Hydrodynamics of episodic events are studied with a three-dimensional barotropic numerical model. Model results are presented for a variety of wind directions and, therefore, can be used for analysis of various biogeochemical data. As an illustration, an analysis of sediment distribution in Lake Ladoga is presented. It is suggested that location of maximum sediment deposition in southeastern Lake Ladoga is due to sediment transport during episodes of strong northwesterly winds. These events generate significant waves in southern Lake Ladoga, causing sediment resuspension and subsequent offshore advection and deposition.