Abstract
Estuaries are transitional environments with ideal conditions for port construction and navigation. They represent a challenge to hydrographic services due to the dynamics of the seabed and the tidal wave deformation. The bottom slope, the convergence of the channels, and the nonlinear effects produced by the bottom friction produce variation in both the tidal range and the location of the chart datum (CD). In this study, sea level data series obtained from the nodes of the mesh of a hydrodynamic model (virtual tide gauges) were used to calculate the harmonic constituents, form factor, asymmetry, and estuary type. The final chart datum surface, obtained from the hydrodynamic model, was used to determine the separation values between zones and also the number of tidal zones in an estuarine system. It was found that in a complex hydrodynamics scenario, the use of the ellipsoidal referenced surveying (ERS) method is more convenient than traditional tidal zoning survey. In the ERS method, once the CD model is complete, it must be attached to the ellipsoid directly. Finally, the variation of the CD in different scenarios (due to anthropogenic action) was assessed.
Highlights
Estuaries are complex transitional environments [1], as they constitute the interface between ocean and river environments as well as marine and terrestrial systems
Due to the difficulty of access and its extension for future works, the use of high-resolution Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) surveys is recommended
The use of a hydrodynamic model allowed us to evaluate the change in the main harmonic constituents, form factor, asymmetry, and the type of dominance over the entire estuary
Summary
Estuaries are complex transitional environments [1], as they constitute the interface between ocean and river environments as well as marine and terrestrial systems. As a result, they provide a significant variety of physical, chemical, and geomorphological environmental conditions [2,3]. Characterization of the tide (amplitude and phase patterns of the main tidal constituents, form factor, and tidal asymmetry) provides important information for hydrographic activities. Characterization of the tide could be done by a hydrodynamic modelling or data-driven approach (DDA) [10].
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