Abstract

Tidal inlets are among the most dynamic environments along the world coastlines while social-economic activities are there concentrated. These problems are particularly relevant in Portugal due to its extensive coastline and the existence of many tidal inlets of social, environmental and economic importance. In the perspective of a sustainable development, it is essential to understand and to be able to predict the long-term evolution of these systems. To achieve these goals, one of the most promising avenues is the development of morphodynamic models, which consist of a set of modules to simulate tidal hydrodynamics, wave propagation, sediment transport and bottom evolution. This project aims at contributing to the advance of an existing morphodynamic modeling system (MORSYS2D) that is under development at the host institution (LNEC). The improvements of this modeling system will consist of:

1. enhancing the representation of the physical processes by introducing alternative modules for wave;
2. improving the representation of the wave forcings;
3. improving the way the model results are analysed and integrated;
4. verifying and testing the modeling system at two contrasting case studies (the Ria Formosa and the Óbidos lagoon, Portugal).

Objectives

• Improving the representation of short waves though the implementation of alternative models.
• Apply global optimization methods to synthesize wave data.
• Develop methodologies to analyze and integrate spatially morphodynamic model results.
• Apply and validate the morphodynamic model at two study sites with contrasting settings (Ria Formosa and Lagoa de Óbidos).

Analyze of Óbidos Lagoon morphodynamic evolutions

• Improve the modeling system MORSYS2D through the inclusion of new algorithms and the full coupling of a wave model.
• Improve understanding the physical processes responsible for Óbidos inlet morphological changes.

Análise da evolução morfodinâmica da Ria Formosa

Tasks

• Hydrodynamic simulation of tides
• Analyze the effect of Ancão Inlet relocation
• Simulate Ancão Inlet development after relocation
• Calibrate model sand transport predictions using fluorescent tracers experiments

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• Plecha, Sandra; Silva, Paulo A; Vaz, Nuno; Bertin, Xavier; Oliveira, Anabela; Fortunato, André B; Dias, João M. 2010. "Sensitivity analysis of a morphodynamic modelling system applied to a coastal lagoon inlet", Ocean Dynamics 60, 2: 275 - 284.
• Lopes, V.; Silva, P.; Bertin, X.; Fortunato, André B; Oliveira, A.. 2009. "Impact of a dredged sandpit on tidal and wave hydrodynamics", Journal of Coastal Research, SI56: 529 - 533.
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• EMERA - Estudo da Morfodinâmica da Embocadura da Ria de Aveiro
• Saturn, sand transport in surface waters: an uncertainty analysis
• Morfodinâmica de embocaduras
• Evolução a longo prazo da morfologia estuarina e lagunar