Tidal, Riverine, and Wind Influences on the Circulation of a Macrotidal Estuary

Bolanos-Sanchez, Rodolfo; Brown, Jennifer M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3894-4651; Amoudry, Laurent O.; Souza, Alejandro J.. 2013 Tidal, Riverine, and Wind Influences on the Circulation of a Macrotidal Estuary. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 43 (1). 29-50. 10.1175/JPO-D-11-0156.1

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JPO-D-11-0156.1

Abstract/Summary

The effect of tides, river, wind and Earth’s rotation on the three-dimensional circulation in the Dee, a macrotidal estuary, are investigated using a fine-resolution model. The interactions of the large tidal amplitude, currents, river, and wind-generated circulation require baroclinic and unsteady studies to properly understand the estuarine dynamics. Assessment of the model skill has been carried out by model–observation comparisons for salinity, which is the main control for density, surface elevation, current, and turbulence. Stationary nondimensional numbers were only partially able to characterize the dynamics in this (real) complex macrotidal estuary. At low water, tidal straining and constrained river flow cause stratification. Large spatial variability occurs in the current and residual patterns, with flood-dominated maximum values occurring within the tidal channels. The tides control residual circulation by modulating stratification through tidal straining and bathymetric constraint on river flow. Tide–stratification–river interaction causes an unsteady pattern of residual circulation and tidal pulses. River-induced pulses are enhanced near low tide–inducing density-driven circulation. Wind effects are concentrated near the surface, mainly occurring at high tide because of increased fetch. Even though Coriolis has, overall, a small contribution it produces tidal pulses modifying the current and salinity distribution.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1175/JPO-D-11-0156.1
Programmes:	NOC Programmes
ISSN:	0022-3670
Additional Keywords:	Currents, Dynamics, Baroclinic models, Coupled models, Model evaluation/performance, Ocean models
Date made live:	21 Feb 2013 15:19 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/500126

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1175/JPO-D-11-0156.1

Programmes:

NOC Programmes

ISSN:

0022-3670

Additional Keywords:

Currents, Dynamics, Baroclinic models, Coupled models, Model evaluation/performance, Ocean models

Date made live:

21 Feb 2013 15:19 +0 (UTC)