Reducing horizontal diffusion errors in σ-coordinate coastal ocean models with a second-order Lagrangian-interpolation finite-difference scheme

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-21-2002

Abstract

When a steep bottom slope exists, it is well known that conventional methods for calculating horizontal diffusion in sigma-coordinate coastal ocean models causes spurious transport (e.g. salinity, temperature, and sediments) and currents. In this study, a second-order accurate finite-difference algorithm and program have been developed to reduce the spurious numerical diffusion errors. In the proposed algorithm, the finite differencing is performed in the x-z coordinate system to approximate the horizontal gradient. Each variable in the finite differential formation is calculated in the sigma-coordinate grid cells using a second-order Lagrangian interpolation polynomial. In conjunction with a stepwise bottom boundary condition, numerical experiments show that the proposed finite-difference scheme considerably reduces numerical errors compared to conventional approaches when dealing with horizontal diffusion over steep topography, which often occurs in coastal oceans and navigation channels. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Ocean Engineering

Volume

29

Issue

5

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