Marano and Grado Lagoon: Narrowing of the Lignano Inlet

Marco Petti,Sara Pascolo,Erika Uliana,Silvia Bosa

doi:10.1088/1757-899x/603/3/032066

Marco Petti, Sara Pascolo + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899x/603/3/032066

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Abstract

The morphological evolution of a lagoon tidal inlet over a medium-long period is a very important research topic since it can greatly affect both the hydrodynamic balance of the coastal environment and all the several human activities related to its proper functioning. The morphodynamic balance, which is the result mainly of the complex interaction of tidal currents and wind waves, can also be deeply influenced by the presence of maritime structures that are required for sea defence. This is the case of the Lignano inlet, which has undergone a progressive narrowing during last decades. In order to investigate the causes of this process and to evaluate possible solutions for the consequent filling of the port access canal, a morphodynamic-spectral coupled model has been applied to this context. Results are presented and discussed confirming that the numerical modelling can be used as a useful engineering tool for the correct management and the integrated planning of coastal zones.

Highlights

Coastal lagoons are characterised by a dynamic equilibrium, highly affected by the periodic exchange of waters through the so called “lagoon inlets”, which are considered as breaches of the offshore bar that separates the lagoon from the sea [1]
The morphodynamic balance, which is the result mainly of the complex interaction of tidal currents and wind waves, can be deeply influenced by the presence of maritime structures that are required for sea defence
In order to investigate the causes of this process and to evaluate possible solutions for the consequent filling of the port access canal, a morphodynamic-spectral coupled model has been applied to this context

Summary

Introduction

Coastal lagoons are characterised by a dynamic equilibrium, highly affected by the periodic exchange of waters through the so called “lagoon inlets”, which are considered as breaches of the offshore bar that separates the lagoon from the sea [1]. The efficiency of this water recirculation system can have significant consequences on the entire ecosystem of these fragile transitional environments, one need only think of the salinity and oxygenation values that derive from it [3] For these reasons, a correct management of the lagoons inlets is required. [19,20]), but they are still too heavy from a computational point of view to be applied to wide domains For this reason, 2DH numerical models are still very common to study both hydroand morphodynamics of a tidal inlet [21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28].

Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd

Conclusions