Investigations into dynamic variation characteristics of near-bottom boundary flows over a long term at strait areas

Abstract

Dynamic processes at the bottom boundary layers are crucial for various marine applications such as marine energy exploration and environmental protection. This paper explored hydrodynamic characteristics of near-bottom boundary currents based on the continuous measured velocity data at a site near the bottom boundary layer in the Strait of Georgia. Previous studies on the bottom boundary layer encompasses various aspects, including physical, chemical, and biological dimensions. However, the mechanism underlying the hierarchical structure of flow velocity remain poorly understood. Thus, the power spectrum and wavelet analysis were used to analyze the significant period of the averaged velocity and tidal characteristics, and to calculate the thickness of near-bottom boundary layer. The results indicate that the current velocities at the boundary layer tend to flow in south-eastern and north-western directions. There is a significant period of 15 days in August and September. At a depth of 301 m, the vertical velocities are stratified, indicating different velocity layers. The boundary layer thickness varies from 5.23 to 14.74 m, as indicated by the vertical structural characteristics. The structural characteristics of the seabed boundary layer are conducive to deepening our understanding of sediment's incipient motion, transport, and sedimentation process. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for future studies on sediment movement and the numerical simulation analysis of the bottom boundary layer. It is of great significance for the study of wave flow interaction and marine dynamic structure, and can provide scientific support for the development and utilization of the strait area.