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Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-199
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-199
18 Jul 2022
 | 18 Jul 2022

Numerical Modeling Investigation of Flushing Characteristics and Water Age in a Highly Stratified estuary: Mobile Bay, Alabama, U.S.A.

Gaurav Savant and Tate O. McAlpin

Abstract. The knowledge of timescales of flushing processes within an estuary is essential for the health, and productivity of the estuary, as well as for optimum estuarine management. The hydrodynamics, flushing times, and freshwater age within Mobile Bay were investigated using a three-dimensional (3D) numerical model, Adaptive Hydraulics. Bay flushing and freshwater times were analyzed for various freshwater flow conditions, wind conditions and investigated the influence of the Coriolis force. The flushing times were directly related to the magnitude of freshwater inputs to the system, with the bay exhibiting an average flushing time of 16.5 days for average river inflows. Freshwater age in the bay was closely associated with the freshwater inflows as well as with location in the Bay and varied from 2 days in the Upper Bay to 21 days in the Lower Bay for average river inflows. Northerly, Easterly, and Westerly winds play an enabling role in the flushing process, with lower depth-averaged flushing times compared to those without winds, with Northerly and Easterly winds being the most efficient. Southerly winds increase flushing times by changing the circulation patterns in the Bay.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
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The knowledge of timescales of flushing processes within an estuary is essential for the health,...
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