Natural and Human-Induced Flow and Sediment Transport within Tidal Creek Networks Influenced by Ocean-Bay Tides

Carmen Zarzuelo,Miguel Ortega-Sánchez,Luca Carniello,Alejandro López-Ruiz,Manuel Díez-Minguito,Andrea D’Alpaos

doi:10.3390/w11071493

Carmen Zarzuelo, Miguel Ortega-Sánchez + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/w11071493

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Abstract

Improving current understanding of hydrodynamics and sediment dynamics in complex tidal embayments is of major importance to face future challenges derived from climate change and increasing human pressure. This work deepens the knowledge of the hydro-morphodynamics of complex creek networks that connect basins with different characteristics, identifying their morphodynamic trends and the potential impacts of channel deepening. We selected two tidal creeks which flow through salt marshes and tidal flats of the Cádiz Bay (SW Spain) in a singular network due to their double connection to the Atlantic Ocean and the inner bay. We study the interactions between tidal waves that penetrate into the creeks from these two different bodies of water, analyzing the tidal asymmetry and the morphodynamic tendencies of the system. For the analysis, we set up a hydro-morphodynamic model specifically developed for areas with very shallow and complex channels. Results show that the tidal wave penetrates within the tidal network both from the inner Bay and the open ocean with different amplitudes, phases and flow velocities. There is also an asymmetric pattern for the tidal flows caused by the deformation of the dominant astronomical tidal constituents, M2 and M4, due to the non-linear interaction of tidal currents with the irregular creek geometry and bottom topography. Tidal asymmetry promotes the progressive infilling of the area where the tidal waves meet closing the connection between the open ocean and the inner bay, such an infilling trend being accelerated by human interventions.

Highlights

Tidal embayments such as bays and lagoons are usually dissected by networks of tidal channels that connect these embayments with the open sea
Improving current understanding of hydrodynamics and sediment circulation of creek networks located in complex tidal systems is of major importance to face current and future challenges derived from climate change and an increasing human pressure
The aim of this work is to deepen the knowledge of the hydro-morphodynamics of complex creek networks that connect basins with very different characteristics, identifying their morphodynamic trends and the potential impacts of human interventions such as channel deepening

Summary

Introduction

Tidal embayments such as bays and lagoons are usually dissected by networks of tidal channels that connect these embayments with the open sea. Some of the climate change components, whose outcomes are a great threat to the tidal systems, are sea-level rise, storminess or extreme precipitation, among others. The results of these events change the shoreline development. The deterioration of coastal water quality and reduction of biodiversity, or the impacts on coastal habitats are some of the consequences of these modifications on the tidal systems [8] These changes are increased when human interventions are carried out in these areas [9,10] since these anthropogenic disturbances and their interplays modify the shape and evolution of these coastal areas [3]

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