HR: 0830h
AN: OS11A-12    [Abstracts]
TI: Finding Persistent Residual Eddies in Complex Tidal Channels
AU: * Li, C
EM: cli@lsu.edu
AF: DOCS, Louisiana State University, 208 C Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
AB: Natural tidal channels are often complicated and as a result eddies may form at different locations within the channels. With a strong tidal forcing, such eddies may change periodically at tidal frequencies. When the tidal forcing dominates other forces that can generate similar eddies, the tidally averaged flow field will appear to have persistent eddies that are apparently associated with the goemorphology of the channels. These tidally induced residual eddies are practically results of asymmetric flow conditions at different locations within the channels such that the flood and ebb flows are sharply different. In a series of surveys conducted in Wassaw Sound with a complicated tidal creek/channel system, we have tried to resolve the tidally induced residual eddies and explain their existence in relation to their locations. These surveys, though only cover one tidal cycle each time, show that the major eddies are quite persistent in their general characteristics, despite the fact that some fine structures may vary from survey to survey. These circulation conditions should have significant implications regarding the transport of waterborn materials, water quality, and ecology.
DE: 4235 Estuarine processes
DE: 4294 Instruments and techniques
DE: 4512 Currents
DE: 4524 Fine structure and microstructure
DE: 4560 Surface waves and tides (1255)
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly