Estuary/ocean exchange and tidal mixing in a Gulf of Maine Estuary: A Lagrangian modeling study

Bilgili A., PROEHL J., LYNCH D., SMITH K., SWIFT M.

ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE, vol.65, no.4, pp.607-624, 2005 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 65 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2005
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.ecss.2005.06.027
  • Journal Name: ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.607-624
  • Istanbul Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

A Lagrangian particle method embedded within a 2-D finite element code, is used to Study the transport and ocean-estuary exchange processes in the well-mixed Great Bay Estuarine System in New Hampshire, USA. The 2-D finite element model, driven by residual, semi-diurnal and diurnal tidal constituents, includes the effects of wetting and drying of estuarine mud flats through the use of a porous medium transport module. The particle method includes tidal advection, plus a random walk model in the horizontal that simulates sub-grid scale turbulent transport processes. Our approach involves instantaneous, massive [0(500,000)] particle releases that enable the quantification of ocean-estuary and inter-bayexchanges in a Markovian framework. The effects of the release time, spring-neap cycle, riverine discharge and diffusion strength Oil the intra-estuary and estuary-ocean exchange are also investigated.