The dynamics of the German Bight associated with river plumes and fresh water intrusions from tidal flats have been studied with numerical simulations. The horizontal and vertical patterns of the M 2 , M 4 and M 6 tides revealed complex distortions along the bathymetric channels connecting the coast and the open sea. A major focus was on the surface-to-bottom change in tidal asymmetries, which provides a major control on draining the tidal flats around the Elbe and Weser River mouths. Comparisons between baroclinic and barotropic experiments demonstrated that the estuarine grav-itational circulation is responsible for pronounced differences in surface and bottom asymmetries. These differences could be considered as a basic control mechanism for sediment dynamics. The most prominent area of tidal distortions, man-ifested by a delay of the tidal wave, was located between the estuarine turbidity maximum and the estuarine mouth north of Cuxhaven. This area was characterized by the strongest peri-odic convergence and divergence of the flow and by the largest salinity gradients. The enhancement of the gravitation-al circulation occurred during the transition between spring and neap tides. The large-scale dynamics and small-scale topographic features could impact the sediment distribution as there was a marked interplay in the channels between stratification and turbulence. Also an explanation has been given for the mechanisms supporting the existence of a mud area (Schlickgebiet) south of Helgoland Island, associated with trapping suspended particular matter.
CITATION STYLE
Stanev, E. V., Al-Nadhairi, R., & Valle-Levinson, A. (2015). The role of density gradients on tidal asymmetries in the German Bight. Ocean Dynamics, 65(1), 77–92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-014-0784-8
Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.