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Ann. Geophys., 23, 231-238, 2005
www.ann-geophys.net/23/231/2005/
© European Geosciences Union 2005
Modelling the water mass exchange through navigational channels connecting adjacent coastal basins - application to the Channel of Potidea (North Aegean Sea)
Y. G. Savvidis1, C. G. Koutitas2, and Y. N. Krestenitis2
1Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, N. Moudania, 63200 Chalkidiki, Greece
2Division of Hydraulics and Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54006 Thessaloniki, Greece
Abstract. The research objective is the detection of the mechanism of the water mass
exchange through a navigational channel connecting two adjacent coastal
basins. The research involves the application of a mathematical model in
parallel to in-situ measurements. The hydrodynamic circulation in the
greater area of the NW Aegean Sea is modeled by means of a barotropic
circulation model. Wind, Coriolis and Tide are the main forcings taken into
account. The flow through the channel is resolved at a subgrid scale by
means of a local open channel flow model. The comparison between field
measurements, recorded during a limited period, and the model results
supports the model verification. The study is integrated by an operational
application of the model under various realistic forcings. The results help
to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms regulating the water mass
exchange and the consequent interaction between two adjacent connected
coastal basins. From the case study of the Potidea channel it is revealed
that the water mass exchange under mean wind forcing is of the same order as
the one induced by the tidal forcing.
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