Search

Asymmetric tidal turbulence (ATT) strongly influences estuarine health and functioning. However, its impact on the three-dimensional estuarine dynamics and the feedback of water motion and salinity distribution on ATT remain poorly understood, especially for short estuaries (estuarine length « tidal wavelength). This study systematically investigates the abovementioned interactions in a short estuary for the first time, considering periodically weakly stratified conditions. This is done by developing a three-dimensional semi-analytical model (combining perturbation method with finite element method) that allows a dissection of the contributions of different processes to ATT, estuarine circulation, and salt transport. The generation of ATT is dominated by (i) strain-induced periodic stratification and (ii) asymmetric bottom-shear-generated turbulence, and their contributions to ATT are different both in amplitude and phase. The magnitude of the residual circulation related to ATT and the eddy viscosity--shear covariance (ESCO) is about half of that of the gravitational circulation (GC) and shows a ''reversed'' pattern as compared to GC. ATT generated by strain-induced periodic stratification contributes to an ESCO circulation with a spatial structure similar to GC. This circulation reduces the longitudinal salinity gradients and thus weakens GC. Contrastingly, the ESCO circulation due to asymmetric bottom-shear-generated turbulence shows patterns opposite to GC and acts to enhance GC. Concerning the salinity dynamics at steady state, GC and tidal pumping are equally important to salt import, whereas ESCO circulation yields a significant seaward salt transport. These findings highlight the importance of identifying the sources of ATT to understand its impact on estuarine circulation and salt distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurement and assessment of ocean bottom processes are important sources of information for understanding bedform evolution and sediment entrainment and for improving numerical models. Instrumented tripods have been used to investigate bottom boundary layer and sediment dynamics processes for several decades. In this paper, the effects of instrumented tripods on hydrodynamics and on the sea bed are investigated via numerical modeling and field data collected under moderate to strong tidal currents and mild surface waves. Under high currents, streamlines are modified and structure-induced vertical velocities are produced. To minimize this effect, a rotation of the three-dimensional current measurement under the frame is recommended. Acceleration of the flow under the frame is also significant (on the order of 10%%--20%%), which leads to an increase in bottom stress and can produce a large scour pit in energetic currents. Wave--structure interactions mainly increase turbulence near the frame. No significant wave effect has been observed near the bed, and scouring thus mostly relates to tidal currents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]