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Estuary circulation: assessment and application

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

R. H. F. Collar
R. H. F. Collar
Affiliation:
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Strathclyde
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Synopsis

The Hansen and Rattray (1966) procedure for classifying estuary circulation pattern is applied to the estuaries of the Dornoch and Cromarty Firths, and the Tay, Forth, and Clyde. All are found to be partlymixed, with the Cromarty Firth and Clyde approaching the stratified condition. The ability of the method to forecast stratification and circulation is examined by comparing predictions and field measurements in the five estuaries. Acceptable results are obtained in cases of better mixing, but some significant departures occur with low range tides and with irregular depth.

One dimensional dispersion coefficients are calculated for the five systems and vary from 70 to 1285 m2s−1. Values increase both as mixing diminishes and with distance seaward along the estuary. Comparison with the table relating values to contributing mechanisms given by Cox and Macola (1967) shows in these cases density-driven circulation to produce higher coefficients than storage basin effect. The results also suggest that transverse circulation induced by Coriolis force produces a further order of increase in dispersion coefficient, values then exceeding 500m2s−1.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B: Biological Sciences , Volume 76 , Issue 1-3: Current Studies in the Marine Environment , 1978 , pp. 37 - 54
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1978

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