Effect of bottom stress formulation on modelled flow and turbidity maxima in cross-sections of tide-dominated estuaries
Schramkowski, G.; de Swart, H.E.; Schuttelaars, H.M. (2010). Effect of bottom stress formulation on modelled flow and turbidity maxima in cross-sections of tide-dominated estuaries. Ocean Dynamics 60(2): 205-218. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10236-009-0235-0 In: Ocean Dynamics. Springer-Verlag: Berlin; Heidelberg; New York. ISSN 1616-7341; e-ISSN 1616-7228, more |   |
| Keywords | Marine/Coastal; Brackish water | | Author keywords | Turbidity; Estuary; Sediment transport; Morphodynamic equilibrium |
| Authors | | Top | - Schramkowski, G., more
- de Swart, H.E.
- Schuttelaars, H.M., more
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| Abstract | A three-dimensional numerical model with a prognostic salinity field is used to investigate the effect of a partial slip bottom boundary condition on lateral flow and sediment distribution in a transect of a tidally dominated channel. The transect has a symmetrical Gaussian cross-channel bottom profile. For a deep, well-mixed, tidally dominated channel, partial slip decreases the relative importance of Coriolis deflection on the generation of cross-channel flow patterns. This has profound implications for the lateral distribution of residual salinity that drives the cross-channel residual circulation pattern. Transverse sediment transport, however, is always found to be governed by a balance between advection of residual sediment concentration by residual lateral flow on the one hand and cross-channel diffusion on the other hand. Hence, the changes in the cross-channel distribution of residual salinity modify the lateral sediment distribution. For no slip, a single turbidity maximum occurs. In contrast, partial slip gives a gradual transition to a symmetrical density distribution with a turbidity maximum near each bank. For a more shallow, partially mixed tidal channel that represents the James River, a single turbidity maximum at the left bank is found irrespective of the near-bed slip condition. In this case, semi-diurnal contributions to sediment distribution and lateral flow play an important role in cross-channel sediment transport. As vertical viscosity and diffusivity are increased, a second maximum at the right bank again exists for partial slip. |
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