Modeling the Temporal Evolution of Dredging-Induced Turbidity in the Far Field

Abstract

AbstractA mathematical model of the transport of dredging-induced turbidity in the far field was developed in this study. Unlike the majority of the existing models, which assume a steady state, the present model retains the transient term, ∂c/∂t, to predict the temporal evolution of the spatial extent and concentration of the sediment plume. The unknown source strength is calibrated using field data. The appropriate turbulent diffusion coefficient in the longitudinal direction, Dx, is set to comply with the real situation with negligible longitudinal diffusion. The complete transient model formulation was then used to analyze the effects of key modeling parameters, such as the water depth, h, mean tidal current velocity, u, turbulent diffusion coefficients in the longitudinal and transverse directions, Dx and Dy, as well as the sediment-settling velocity, ws, on the model prediction, in particular the approach to the steady state and the ultimate suspended sediment concentration level at the steady state...