Author(s): Zeng Zhou; Giovanni Coco; Maitane Olabarrieta; Mick Van Der Wegen
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Back-barrier basin; Tidal networks; Estuaries; Morphodynamics; Numerical modelling
Abstract: This work uses numerical simulations to study the formation and long-term morphological evolution of channel-shoal systems in a river-influenced back-barrier basin. The major parameters, i. e., tidal range and fluvial discharge, are varied to investigate the morphological evolution and characteristics of pattern formation. It is found that larger tidal range and fluvial discharge lead to faster channel-shoal formation and more sedimentation on the ebb delta. Model results show that tidal processes dominate when the ratio (rQ) between the mean tidal discharge () and river discharge (Q) is larger than approximately 30 while river dominates when rQ is smaller than 10. The transition falls in the range of rQ roughly between 10 and 30, which generally agrees with the traditional empirical transition of rQ < 20 when tide dominates. The conceptual model proposed by Nichols and Boon (1994) is also quantitatively confirmed by numerical modelling.
Year: 2013