Numerical Modeling Tools Applied to Estuarine and Coastal Hydrodynamics: A User Perspective

Iglésias, I.; Paulo, Andrzej; Pinho, José L. S.; Bio, Ana; Vieira, J. M. Pereira; Bastos, L.; Gomes, Fernando Veloso

doi:10.5772/intechopen.85521

Cited by 11 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…The average annual river flow is 300 m 3 /s, oscillating between 100 m 3 /s in the dry season (summer) and 500 m 3 /s in the wet season (winter). River flow depends on the precipitation patterns over the hydrographic basin and on the Frieira dam discharges, located 80 km upstream of the estuary mouth [18,19]. The lower estuary presents an accentuated enlargement which results in a decrease of the velocity of the current, creating favorable conditions for sediment deposition.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydro- and Morphodynamic Impacts of Sea Level Rise: The Minho Estuary Case Study

Melo

Pinho

Iglésias

et al. 2020

JMSE

Self Cite

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The understanding and anticipating of climate change impacts is one of the greatest challenges for humanity. It is already known that, until the end of the 21st century, the mean sea level (MSL) will rise at a global scale, but its effects at the local scale need to be further analyzed. In this context, a numerical modelling tool and a methodological approach for the river Minho estuary (NW of the Iberian Peninsula) are presented, to predict possible consequences of local MSL rise, considering the greenhouse emission scenarios RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. Hydrodynamic and morphodynamic impacts were analyzed considering several driving factors, such as tides, sea level rise, storm surge, wave set-up, and different river flood peak discharges, taking into account their probabilities of occurrence. The model was calibrated using in-situ data and a data assimilation tool, the OpenDA, which automates this process, allowing to reach reliable results in a considerably short time when compared with traditional techniques. The results forecast that the predicted MSL rise will reduce the flow velocity magnitude and the sediment transport into the coastal platform but will aggravate the inundation risks along the estuarine banks. In the worst scenario (RCP 8.5) the water level near the river mouth of the estuary is expected to rise 0.20 m for 50 years return period ocean water rising, and 0.60 m for 100 years return period. It was also possible to identify that floods are the most important driver for the sediment transport along the estuary, while the tide effect in the morphodynamics is restricted to the downstream estuarine region. This work demonstrated the importance of the numerical modelling tools to better understand the effects of climate change at local scales through the representation of the estuarine hydrodynamic pattern evolution for future climate scenarios.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydro- and Morphodynamic Impacts of Sea Level Rise: The Minho Estuary Case Study

Melo

Pinho

Iglésias

et al. 2020

JMSE

Self Cite

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“…Since 1996, over three tropical storms or hurricanes have passed within 300 km of the North Carolina coast per year [10]. Given the important role that salinity plays in the abiotic and biotic system components of estuaries, and the likelihood that global climate change will increase the frequency of extreme weather events (e.g., floods, droughts, hurricanes- [9,15,16]), there is a critical need for models that can accurately forecast spatiotemporal variation in salinity (e.g., [17]). A recent review by Iglesias et al [17] highlights the strengths of applying numerical modeling tools to characterize morphohydrodynamic processes in estuarine and coastal systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Given the important role that salinity plays in the abiotic and biotic system components of estuaries, and the likelihood that global climate change will increase the frequency of extreme weather events (e.g., floods, droughts, hurricanes- [9,15,16]), there is a critical need for models that can accurately forecast spatiotemporal variation in salinity (e.g., [17]). A recent review by Iglesias et al [17] highlights the strengths of applying numerical modeling tools to characterize morphohydrodynamic processes in estuarine and coastal systems. Numerical methods can include a large variety of models and techniques, such as finite element, finite difference, finite volume, or Eularian-Lagrangian models (e.g., [17][18][19]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent review by Iglesias et al [17] highlights the strengths of applying numerical modeling tools to characterize morphohydrodynamic processes in estuarine and coastal systems. Numerical methods can include a large variety of models and techniques, such as finite element, finite difference, finite volume, or Eularian-Lagrangian models (e.g., [17][18][19]). Complex, three-dimensional numerical models used for simulation and forecasting of dynamic estuarine salinity can require significant effort and computation time that is beyond the capabilities of many local management agencies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Process-Based Statistical Models Predict Dynamic Estuarine Salinity

Durham¹,

Eggleston²,

Nail³

2020

Lagoon Environments Around the World - A Scientific Perspective

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Climate change is increasing variation in freshwater input and the intensity of this variation in estuarine systems throughout the world. Estuarine salinity responds to dynamic meteorological and hydrological processes with important consequences to physical features, such as vertical stratification, as well as living resources, such as the distribution, abundance and diversity of species. We developed and evaluated two space-time statistical models to predict bottom salinity in Pamlico Sound, NC: (i) process and (ii) time models. Both models used 20-years of observed salinity and contained a deterministic component designed to represent four key processes that affect salinity: (1) recent and long-term fresh water influx (FWI) from four rivers, (2) mixing with the ocean through inlets, (3) hurricane incidence, and (4) interactions among these variables. Freshwater discharge and distance from an inlet to the Atlantic Ocean explained the most variance in dynamic salinity. The final process model explained 89% of spatiotemporal variability in salinity in a withheld dataset, whereas the final time model explained 87% of the variability within the same withheld data set. This study provides a methodological template for modeling salinity and other normally-distributed abiotic variables in this lagoonal estuary.

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“…The simple measurement of environmental variables in situ alone or time-limited studies is not sufficient to translate and fully comprehended coastal processes since coastal systems are complex, decomposable, and large-scale [1]. Indeed, the combination and interaction of the physical factors (bathymetry; coastline topography; estuarine outflow; heat flux through the sea surface) and the associated physical transport and dispersal processes of the coastal flow field, makes coastal systems complex and unique in its hydrodynamics [2,3]. Therefore, and like other large-scale systems, the coastal system must be partitioned or decomposed into a number of small systems and the best way to gain insights into coastal system structure, organization, and functioning is through the use of numerical models.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of the 3D-MOHID Hydrodynamic Model for the Tagus Coastal Area

Pablo

Sobrinho

García

et al. 2019

Water

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The hydrodynamics of the TagusROFI (Regions of Freshwater Influence) is affected by the coastal upwelling, the estuarine tidal flow, the thermohaline circulation that is modulated by the Tagus freshwater discharge, and by its complex bathymetry. The use of numerical models is the best way to explain the processes that characterize this region. These models are also crucial to answer important scientific and management questions. Nevertheless, the robustness of the products derived from models depend on their accuracy and therefore models must be validated to determine the uncertainty associated. Time and space variability of the driving forces and of bathymetry enhance flow complexity increasing validation difficulties, requiring continuous high-resolution data to describe flow and thermohaline horizontal and vertical variabilities. In the present work, to increase the precision and accuracy of the coastal processes simulations, the sub-systems coastal area and the Tagus estuary were integrated into a single domain, which considers higher resolution grids in both horizontal and vertical directions. The three-dimensiosal (3D)-MOHID Water model was validated for the TagusROFI by comparing statistically modelling results with in situ and satellite L4 data. Validation with a conductivity, temperature, and depth probe (CTD), an acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) and satellite data was performed for the first time. Validation against tidal gauges showed that the model is able to simulate tidal propagation inside the estuary with accuracy. A very good agreement between CTD data and surface sea water temperature (SST) and salinity simulations was observed. The validation of current direction and velocity from ADCP data also indicated a high model accuracy for these variables. Comparisons between model and satellite for SST also showed that the model produces realistic SSTs and upwelling events. Overall results showed that MOHID setup and parametrisations are well implemented for the TagusROFI domain. These results are even more important when a 3D model is used in simulations due to its complexity once it considers both horizontal and vertical discretization allowing a better representation of the heat and salinity fluxes in the water column. Moreover, the results achieved indicates that 3D-MOHID is robust enough to run in operational mode, including its forecast ability, fundamental to be used as a management tool.

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Numerical Modeling Tools Applied to Estuarine and Coastal Hydrodynamics: A User Perspective

Cited by 11 publications

References 64 publications

Hydro- and Morphodynamic Impacts of Sea Level Rise: The Minho Estuary Case Study

Hydro- and Morphodynamic Impacts of Sea Level Rise: The Minho Estuary Case Study

Process-Based Statistical Models Predict Dynamic Estuarine Salinity

Validation of the 3D-MOHID Hydrodynamic Model for the Tagus Coastal Area

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