Hydrodynamic Modelling of Bidong Island Vicinity Waters

Abstract

This paper explores the dynamic of meteorological forcing on current circulation pattern in the vicinity of Bidong using an unstructured flexible mesh hydrodynamic model. The forcings were wind, tides, temperature and salinity. The seasonal wind monsoon, mixed tides with dominant diurnal and tropical monsoon climate is characteristics of Bidong Island. We find that this area has different current circulation patterns in response to monsoon changes. It also experienced a small scale of island wake during NE monsoon. This island wake was generated by a strong northeasterly wind. We performed a series of numerical simulations based on three dominant factors in circulation, and evaluated the model using wind, tides and density. We investigated the wind-driven circulation and residual current. This study contributes to the debates on hydrodynamic of current circulation in vicinity of Bidong Island. Specifically, this study was conducted to understand the changes of currents by seasonal wind (NE monsoon and SW monsoon), temperature and salinity.