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Content archived on 2024-04-19

Processes in regions of freshwater influence

Objective



The project's overall aim is to develop process understanding and tested numerical models for Regions of Freshwater
Influence (ROFI). It encompasses the study of the role of
physical processes controlling water- property distribution
and that of suspended sediments controlling the availability of light and nutrients for phytoplankton growth. The project comprises the construction of a fully coupled 3-D nearshore
model. It will have high resolution (1 hour, 1 kilometre
approximately) and extend offshore to any vertically-mixed
region outside the ROFI. It will comprise a framework with
modules describing:

- the influence of tidal cycles and variable weather
conditions including waves;

- currents, temperature, salinity, turbulence, and
diffusivity including stratification effects;

- sediments including deposition, erosion, and
flocculation; - plankton, nutrients, oxygen.

The effects of boundary forcing by measurements or a
wider-area model will be compared with those of focusing.
Specific tests of model components against measurements will be performed. Model calculations will be tested for prognostic quality and robustness by comparisons with measured
constituents in contrasted ROFIs.

The following measurements to extend the data basis for ROFI process understanding and modelling will be performed:
contrasted ROFI regimes; longer duration to cover variability over a seasonal cycle; more continuous salinity and
fluorescence records; good vertical resolution suitable for
testing the nearshore model; time series to determine ROFI
dynamics and intermittency; time-series of near-bottom
sediment transports.

Systematic observations of the contrasted Rhine, Clyde, and
Thermaikos Bay ROFIs will complement earlier measurements in the ROFI areas of the Rhine, German Bight and Po. Behaviour of the contrasting ROFIs will be inter-compared and interpreted using models.

The outcome will be a defined set of observations, model code and model output on electronic media, and model-data
comparison, suitable for subsequent integration and
promulgation as test data, as well as a nearshore model for
wider use.

Call for proposal

Data not available

Coordinator

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
EU contribution
No data
Address
Bidston Observatory
L43 7RA BIRKENHEAD
United Kingdom

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Total cost
No data

Participants (8)