Modeling Horizontal Diffusion with Sigma Coordinate System
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 122, Issue 6
Abstract
Accurate calculation of horizontal diffusive transport is important in modeling temperature, salinity, sediment, and pollutant transport in estuaries and the coastal ocean. Many three-dimensional estuarine and coastal ocean models employ a so-called sigma coordinate transformation because of its useful applications with irregular bathymetry. However, for steep bottom slopes, the conventional definition of horizontal diffusion causes spurious diffusive transport. In this paper, a new formula is presented and tested for salinity diffusion in a quiescent-sloping basin under no external forces. Results indicate that this formula produces almost no spurious diffusion, so that the initial salinity field remains unchanged after a 30-d simulation.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 122 • Issue 6 • June 1996
Pages: 349 - 352
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Jun 1, 1996
Published in print: Jun 1996
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