Abstract
Current circulation provides major transport mechanism especially for benthic organism in the ocean. The present study described current circulation in inshore reef area within Kuantan coastal region by applying a numerical modelling of MIKE 21 Flow Model FM software. Model simulation produced good outcomes when compared with field data measurement with root mean square error (RMSE) for surface elevation, current speed and direction were below 20. Results also clearly indicated that current speed in inshore reef area was highly correlated with local tidal pattern in which higher flow speed were observed during high tides compared to low tide. Contrary to previous belief, our results clearly show the prevalence of tidal forcing in shaping current flow pattern in the study area since the impact of wind forcing was minimal during different monsoon seasons. This study gave new insight into how local tidal properties can regulate hydrodynamic pattern especially in fine-scale inshore reef area.
Highlights
The dynamic of current circulation within coral reef ecosystem might regulate spatial distribution of temperature, oxygen, nutrient and other planktonic or benthic organism (Zhang et al, 2013; Gruber et al, 2017; Falter et al, 2004; Wyatt et al, 2010)
Present evidence clearly indicated that tidal forcing influence in current pattern in the study area in which high current speed often occur during high tide and vice versa
We have demonstrated in the present study that tidal characteristic has major influence in regulating ocean circulation in inshore reef area
Summary
The dynamic of current circulation within coral reef ecosystem might regulate spatial distribution of temperature, oxygen, nutrient and other planktonic or benthic organism (Zhang et al, 2013; Gruber et al, 2017; Falter et al, 2004; Wyatt et al, 2010). The magnitude and direction of current play some important roles in sediment transport, coastal upwelling and dispersal pattern of marine organism. Balok reef is an inshore reef located approximately 9 km from the Balok Beach, Kuantan Pahang. This reef has received more attention for the past decades especially for recreational diving and fishing activities. Understanding local current circulation in reef environment is fundamental for most study related with coral ecosystem, there has been less documented study available in describing ocean circulation in the study area
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