1. The Influence of Tidal Distortion on Extreme Water Levels in Casamance Estuary, Senegal.
- Author
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Diouf, Amadou, Sakho, Issa, Sow, Bamol Ali, Deloffre, Julien, Seujip, Marcellin Samou, Diouf, Mouhamadoul Bachir, and Lafite, Robert
- Abstract
The Casamance estuary in Senegal is experiencing hypersalinisation and siltation, which are negatively impacting the mangrove ecosystem and maritime navigation, with implications for biodiversity and the regional economy. This study investigates the influence of tidal distortion on extreme water levels by analysing tidal data from the upstream Ziguinchor station and the estuary mouth using the Tide Peaks Toolbox and UTide. The results reveal significant tidal asymmetry between ebb and flood tides, with greater distortion observed upstream compared to the estuary mouth. At Ziguinchor, spring tides exhibit pronounced asymmetry in the duration of ebb and flood, leading to heightened extreme water levels, while neap tides remain nearly symmetrical. In contrast, Carabane experiences higher water levels with less pronounced asymmetry across different tidal cycles. Harmonic analysis shows a reduction of over 45% in the amplitudes of major tidal constituents (M2, S2, K1) and a notable increase in higher harmonics (M4, M6), which intensifies asymmetry, particularly upstream. The reduction of M2 plays a key role in increasing tidal asymmetry, especially upstream, while M4 and M6 further amplify this effect. This tidal distortion contributes to water stagnation at Ziguinchor during spring tides, raising extreme water levels at low tide. The study reveals a complex tidal dynamic in the Casamance estuary, with greater asymmetry and distortion upstream compared to the mouth, and underscores the contrasting evolution of extreme water levels. These findings highlight the need for further research on tidal deformation in inverse microtidal estuaries, particularly in tropical regions with pronounced climatic variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2025
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