Effect of winds and waves on salt intrusion in the Pearl River estuary
Salt intrusion in the Pearl River estuary (PRE) is a dynamic process that is influenced by a range of factors and to date, few studies have examined the effects of winds and waves on salt intrusion in the PRE. We investigate these effects using the Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transpor...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2018-02-01
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| Series: | Ocean Science |
| Online Access: | https://www.ocean-sci.net/14/139/2018/os-14-139-2018.pdf |
| Summary: | Salt intrusion in the Pearl River estuary (PRE) is a dynamic process that is
influenced by a range of factors and to date, few studies have examined the
effects of winds and waves on salt intrusion in the PRE. We investigate these
effects using the Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment
Transport (COAWST) modeling system applied to the PRE. After careful
validation, the model is used for a series of diagnostic simulations. It is
revealed that the local wind considerably strengthens the salt intrusion by
lowering the water level in the eastern part of the estuary and increasing
the bottom landward flow. The remote wind increases the water mixing on the
continental shelf, elevates the water level on the shelf and in the PRE and
pumps saltier shelf water into the estuary by Ekman transport. Enhancement of
the salt intrusion is comparable between the remote and local winds. Waves
decrease the salt intrusion by increasing the water mixing. Sensitivity
analysis shows that the axial down-estuary wind, is most efficient in driving
increases in salt intrusion via wind straining effect. |
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| ISSN: | 1812-0784 1812-0792 |