Special Issue "Hydrodynamics in Coastal Areas"

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Oceans and Coastal Zones".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 29 February 2024 | Viewed by 5186

Special Issue Editor

Department of Environmental Engineering, International Hellenic University (I.H.U.), Alexander Campus, Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: coastal hydrodynamics; physical oceanography; numerical modelling; sediment transport; dispersion of pollutants in marine environment; environmental coastal engineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Coastal regions constitute geophysical areas of special interest for engineers and scientists that study the marine environment from a physical, chemical, biological and geological point of view. Human activities, living organisms and engineering structures are influential to this great and complicated environment. The hydrodynamics and environmental state of these geophysical basins are closely related to engineering and scientific issues such as coastal water circulation, matter transfer, the dispersion of pollutants, oil slicks, wave propagation, wave currents and longshore sand transport, wave–coastal structure interactions, interactions between hydrodynamics and vessels (ships), the transport and spreading of algal blooms, marine life and aquacultures, dredging, coastal geomorphology, etc. All the aforementioned subjects are closely related to the hydrodynamics of the coastal basin.

Research into these aspects is usually realized via laboratory experiments and physical models, in situ measurements (field works), and numerical/mathematical models. Special interest and particular challenges in this environment are related to harbors, aquaculture installations, the protection of coastal areas and water renewal. Prognosis and diagnosis are of great importance, since they contribute effectively to the better design and integrated management of these areas (ICM—integrated coastal management). Research and review papers based on new ideas and modern innovative approaches related to the above issues of science and engineering, with the subject of hydrodynamics in coastal areas at the basic core, are welcome for publication.

Prof. Dr. Yiannis Savvidis
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • hydrodynamic circulation
  • renewal of waters
  • environmental coastal hydrodynamics
  • coastal wave currents
  • dispersion of pollutants in coastal seas
  • sediment transport in coastal areas

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

Article
Water Renewal Simulation in Two Flow-Through Water Bodies in Western Greece
Water 2023, 15(15), 2745; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15152745 - 29 Jul 2023
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Abstract
The basic hydrodynamic characteristics and water renewal of two flow-through water bodies in Western Greece, the Gulf of Patras and Lysimachia Lake, are studied via numerical simulations. The currents on the northern coasts of the Gulf are much stronger compared with the southern [...] Read more.
The basic hydrodynamic characteristics and water renewal of two flow-through water bodies in Western Greece, the Gulf of Patras and Lysimachia Lake, are studied via numerical simulations. The currents on the northern coasts of the Gulf are much stronger compared with the southern region, and rapid water renewal is achieved in the area of the Rio–Antirio strait (<1 month). In the northern part of the Gulf, the residence time varies from 1 to 4 months, while in the central and southern parts, it is estimated to exceed 6 months. Regarding the water renewal of deep waters (>60 m), which are enclosed between sills, the same pattern was observed, with residence times exceeding 6 months. In Lysimachia Lake, the effect of inflow waters from surrounding water bodies was analyzed over a time period of approximately 2 months. Gyres formation was observed due to local topography, and the numerically predicted results for water renewal were found to be in good agreement with those in the literature. Specifically, Lysimachia Lake seems to be replenished approximately 13 times per year. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrodynamics in Coastal Areas)
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Article
Abnormal Waves Observation and Analysis of the Mechanism in the Pearl River Estuary, South China
Water 2023, 15(5), 1001; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15051001 - 06 Mar 2023
Viewed by 978
Abstract
The Pearl River Estuary is a typical estuary region in southern China, and the study of surface wave occurrence and characteristics is of great importance for shipping management, nearshore engineering, and monitoring shoreline changes and other human activities. Long-term and continuous observational data [...] Read more.
The Pearl River Estuary is a typical estuary region in southern China, and the study of surface wave occurrence and characteristics is of great importance for shipping management, nearshore engineering, and monitoring shoreline changes and other human activities. Long-term and continuous observational data are critical for achieving a better understanding of waves. In this study, the wave measurements based on a high-precision wave gauge were analyzed and observation data over approximately two years at a sampling frequency of 2 Hz were obtained. The wave system in the Pearl River Estuary was found to deviate from the assumption of a stationary stochastic process similar to that in the open ocean, due to the effects of abnormal waves caused by human activities. Therefore, traditional distribution functions such as Rayleigh and Weibull were not suitable for accurately fitting the main wave parameters (Hs, Tp, etc.), particularly in the tail. Consequently, abnormal wave signals were extracted from all wave sets, and through the comparison and analysis of the wave spectral features, it was determined that these abnormal waves are caused by the ship wakes. The spectral characterization of these waves was performed to determine the characteristics of different ship wake processes. Ship wakes in the Pearl River Estuary are an important part of the wave system, and their wave height is significantly larger than the normal wave. Based on the spectral characteristics of ship wakes, this study proposed some news characteristics of ship wakes in the main channel of the Pearl River Estuary. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrodynamics in Coastal Areas)
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Article
Implications of a Large River Discharge on the Dynamics of a Tide-Dominated Amazonian Estuary
Water 2023, 15(5), 849; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15050849 - 22 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1374
Abstract
Estuaries along the Amazonian coast are subjected to both a macrotidal regime and seasonally high fluvial discharge, both of which generate complex circulation. Furthermore, the Amazon River Plume (ARP) influences coastal circulation and suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs). The Gurupi estuary, located south of [...] Read more.
Estuaries along the Amazonian coast are subjected to both a macrotidal regime and seasonally high fluvial discharge, both of which generate complex circulation. Furthermore, the Amazon River Plume (ARP) influences coastal circulation and suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs). The Gurupi estuary, located south of the mouth of the Amazon River, is relatively unstudied. This study evaluates how the Gurupi estuary dynamics respond to seasonal discharge and the varying influence of the ARP using cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys of morphology, hydrodynamics, and sediment transport. The Gurupi was classified as a tide-dominated estuary based on morphology and mean hydrodynamic conditions. However, the estuary was only partially mixed during both the wet and dry seasons. The tides propagated asymmetrically and hypersynchronously, with flood dominance during the dry season and ebb dominance during the rainy season. Seasonal variations of the ARP did not significantly affect the hydrodynamic structure of the lower Gurupi estuary. Estuarine turbidity maxima (ETM) were observed in both seasons, although the increase in fluvial discharge during the wet season attenuated and shifted the ETM seaward. Little sediment was delivered to the estuary by the river, and the SSCs were higher at the mouth in both seasons. Sediment was strongly imported during the dry season by tidal asymmetry. The morphology, hydrodynamics, and sediment dynamics all highlight the importance of considering both fluvial discharge and coastal influences on estuaries along the Amazon coast. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrodynamics in Coastal Areas)
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Article
Marine Heat Waves over Natural and Urban Coastal Environments of South Florida
Water 2022, 14(23), 3840; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14233840 - 25 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1502
Abstract
Marine Heat Wave (MHW) events are increasingly recognized as an important factor in the sustainability of coastal environments (both natural and urban), in the context of climate change. They are related to increasing trends of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) at the adjacent ocean [...] Read more.
Marine Heat Wave (MHW) events are increasingly recognized as an important factor in the sustainability of coastal environments (both natural and urban), in the context of climate change. They are related to increasing trends of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) at the adjacent ocean waters. SST is an important parameter of the earth’s climate and increasing SST trends have been associated with adverse effects on coastal ecosystems, with important environmental and socioeconomic implications. This study focuses on the SST interannual variability over the coastal marine environment of South Florida, which contains several fragile ecosystems, and draws associate effects with adjacent large urban coastal settlements. The methodology is based on high-resolution satellite-derived SST data during a 40-year period (1982–2021), augmented by recent high-resolution model simulations (2012–2020). A generally increasing trend has been detected in the observations over the entire region (0.19 °C/decade). The unusual temperature levels have been associated with the formation of extensive MHW events, which showed interannual positive trends (0.75 events/decade) during the 40-year study period. Specifically, the six most recent years (2015–2021) were characterized by the strongest formation of MHWs with a peak in 2015, 2019 and 2020, with more than 8 events/year and approximately 70 to 110 days/year duration in total. The Florida Keys, especially along the Straits of Florida (southern island coasts), revealed very strong increasing trends. Miami Beach is also characterized by strong interannual trends (1.1 events/decade and 10 days/decade) compared to the enclosed basin of Biscayne Bay. In addition to the influence of atmospheric conditions over all regions around South Florida, the formation of MHWs near the eastern Florida coasts was also controlled by ocean dynamics, related to the warm Florida Current (FC). The evolution of the FC close to the eastern coasts (e.g., Miami Beach) was found to be a pre-condition of MHW formation. Several disastrous events on the biotic environment of South Florida near large urban settlements have been related to the formation of MHWs. The detected positive trends, and especially the recent high peaks of MHW events, may enhance the loss of specific heat-sensitive species, damaging the biodiversity of this tropical coastal environment and weakening the natural coastal protection against tropical storms. Urban planning for sustainable development in South Florida’s coastal cities must take into account MHW trends. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrodynamics in Coastal Areas)
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