Modeling horizontal diffusion with sigma coordinate system

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-1996

Abstract

Accurate calculation of horizontal diffusive transport is important in modeling temperature, salinity, sediment, and pollutant transport in estuaries and the coastal ocean. Many three-dimensional estuarine and coastal ocean models employ a so-called sigma coordinate transformation because of its useful applications with irregular bathymetry. However, for steep bottom slopes, the conventional definition of horizontal diffusion causes spurious diffusive transport. In this paper, a new formula is presented and tested for salinity diffusion in a quiescent-sloping basin under no external forces. Results indicate that this formula produces almost no spurious diffusion, so that the initial salinity field remains unchanged after a 30-d simulation.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Journal of Hydraulic Engineering

Volume

122

Issue

6

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