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.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › earth and related environmental sciences › geology › sedimentology

Programme(s)

• FP3-MAST 2 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of marine science and technology, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 0101 - Circulation and exchange of water masses

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL

Address

Bidston Observatory
L43 7RA Birkenhead
United Kingdom

Participants (8)

ALFRED WEGENER INSTITUTE FOR POLAR AND MARINE RESEARCH

Germany

Address

Columbusstrasse
27568 Bremerhaven

Links

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Greece

Address

University Campus
54006 Thessaloniki

Institut d'Hygiène et d'Epidémiologie

Belgium

Address

100,gulledelle
1200 Bruxelles

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT PUBLIC WORKS AND WATER MANAGEMENT

Netherlands

Address

Kortenaerkade 1
2500 EX Den Haag ('S-gravenhage)

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ITALY

Italy

Address

San Polo 1364
30125 Venezia

UNIVERSITY OF HAMBURG

Germany

Address

Troplowitzstrasse 7
22529 Hamburg

UNIVERSITY OF WALES - BANGOR

United Kingdom

Address

Askew Street
LL59 5EY Gwynedd

UTRECHT UNIVERSITY

Netherlands

Address

5,princetonplein 5
3584 CC Utrecht