Numerical Studies on the Suitable Position of Artificial Upwelling in a Semi-Enclosed Bay

• Main Authors: Zhongzhi Yao, Wei Fan, Canbo Xiao, Tiancheng Lin, Yao Zhang, Yongyu Zhang, Jihua Liu, Zhujun Zhang, Yiwen Pan, Ying Chen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-01-01
• Series: Water
• Subjects: nutrient concentration; artificial upwelling; semi-enclosed bay; ocean model
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/12/1/177

Ecological engineering by artificial upwelling is considered a promising way to improve water quality. Artificial upwelling could lift nutrient-rich bottom water to the surface, enhance seaweed growth and consequently increase nutrient removal from seawater. However, one of the major obstacles of the engineering application is to determine the suitable position of ecological engineering, which is critical for artificial upwelling’s performance. In this paper, potential artificial upwelling positions in a semi-closed bay are simulated by using the unstructured-grid Finite-Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM). The results show that the upwelling position with relative small tidal current and close to corner will be helpful to increasing nutrient concentration of surface water, and be appropriate to build the ecological engineering. With proper design of the ecological engineering, it is possible to have a noticeable impact in semi-closed bay. Thus, artificial upwelling has the potential to succeed as a promising way to alleviate the eutrophication.