Three-Dimensional Modeling of the Ruwais Coastal Area of United Arab Emirates
Publication: Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 132, Issue 6
Abstract
The coastal flow pattern around a coastal industrial compound in United Arab Emirates has been studied using a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model. The study area is and is partially sheltered from the open sea by salt marshes and islands. Such configuration increases the risk of marine pollution near the industrial site. The region is ecologically diversified and therefore understanding the physical dynamics of the area is important for any assessment work on the impact of industrial and port operations. The utilized model has a size of and employs a curvilinear sigma grid system. The setup is nested inside a regional model that covered the entire Arabian Gulf. A – module estimates the depth variation of the turbulence field. The model is calibrated against the water level and current data. A sensitivity analysis is done for different wind conditions. The results show that a mean current is developed due to tidal action in the deeper section of the coastal basin. Dominant winds develop eastward coastal currents. The daily mean water level of the area has dropped during spring tide. A tracer simulation study shows that the tracer field oscillates between east and west in conjunction with the neap and spring tides with northward net displacement.
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Acknowledgments
This study is conducted during a research project sponsored by the Japan Cooperation Center, Petroleum (JCCP) in the United Arab Emirates University. The writers would like to acknowledge the great support offered from TAKREER and ADPOC from UAEU-ADNOC during the marine surveys.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 132 • Issue 6 • November 2006
Pages: 487 - 495
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Mar 10, 2004
Accepted: Jan 11, 2005
Published online: Nov 1, 2006
Published in print: Nov 2006
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