Hydrodynamic model approach to study the pattern of sea surface currents around the Tanjungpinang City reclamation site

Abstract

This study aims to study the pattern of sea surface currents at the research site using a hydrodynamic modelling approach. Hydrodynamic models are approaches used to study large-scale and long-term patterns of sea surface currents (past, present, and future projections). Study on the sea surface currents at the research site was conducted by constructing the 2D hydrodynamics model which was simulated for 30 days to describe the pattern of sea surface current at the research site. Finite differences methods were used in solving the equation of the 2D hydrodynamic model. Validation result showed that the model has a good performance and it was relevance to in-situ measurement. The simulation results showed a significant difference in current velocity during high and low tides. Current velocity is higher at high tide (0.15-0.18 m/s) than at low tide (0.06-0.10 m/s). At high tide, current direction is dominant towards the southeast and southwest. At low tide, current direction is dominant to the north and northwest. The sea surface currents at the research site are strongly influenced by tidal conditions. At high tide, sea surface current will move towards the coast and at low tide the sea surface current will move away from the coast.