Effect of Breaking Waves on Dissolved Oxygen and Organic Matter

Water pollution in the near shore area has become a serious problem in coastal engineering. In such a situation, not only wave dissipation but also the functioning of water pollution control is expected from the coastal structure. Since breaking waves are accompanied by many bubbles and intense water turbulence, they promote the contact between organic matter and bacteria and between water and air. Therefore the water quality related to organic matter seems to change under the effect of breaking waves. In this study the variation of the dissolved oxygen and the organic matter near the surf zone were considered. First, a self purification model in the surf zone was developed. Second, the efficiency of breaking waves on reaeration and organic matter decomposition was estimated by an experiment in the laboratory flume and numerical simulation.