Numerical modeling of estuarine circulation and morphodynamics in the yellow river delta and bohai sea

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Christian Jordan, Oliver Lojek, Arne Stahlmann, Torsten Schlurmann

Friday 3 july 2015

11:15 - 11:30h at Antarctica (level 0)

Themes: (T) Sediment management and morphodynamics, (ST) Morphodynamics of estuaries and coastal areas

Parallel session: 15A. Sediment - Coast

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Numerical modeling is an established method for gaining insights into estuarine circulation and mixing processes as well as sediment distributions and morphological dynamics. As part of the DELIGHT (Delta Information System for Geoenvironmental and Human Habitat Transition, http://www.delight.eoc.dlr.de/en) research project, which aims at building a comprehensive delta development tool and decision system, numerical models are set up in order to investigate the hydro- and morphodynamic situation of the Yellow River Delta. A numerical model of the delta and corresponding tidal model of the Bohai Sea as well as first simulation results will be presented here. The models are being developed using extensively tested and validated open source software codes. The setup of the Yellow River Delta model is widely based on field measurements, stemming from an in-situ field survey carried out in October 2013, which also provides calibration data sets. Along with bathymetric data, 3D-current velocities have been measured as well as suspended sediment concentrations and different water quality parameters. The Yellow River Delta model so far has been calibrated for hydrodynamics, with morphodynamic calibration being the next step in the development of the delta model. The Bohai Sea model relies on global databases for bathymetry and tidal forcing and was calibrated against observations as well as data from literature. The models are developed in order to gain insight into the estuarine circulation processes and for researching probable climate change impacts as well as storm surge and flooding hazards, sediment distribution patterns and alterations in morphodynamics forming the bathymetry of the delta. Supplementary data for calibration and validation purposes will be gathered during a second field campaign scheduled for mid-2015, aimed at capturing an anthropogenic reservoir-flushing process, entailing high sediment concentrations and discharge volumes.