Wave patterns and sediment mixing near coral reefs
Conference Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Most models of the wave patterns surrounding coral reefs are for incident waves and are based on the assumption that the waves are infinitesimally small. The research effort thus far has focused on the attenuation and/or refraction of these waves as they pass over the reef. However, it is now possible to accurately model finite amplitude waves and flow patterns that do not depend on the amplitude of the wave. These solutions are obtained from the fully non‐linear equations for fluid flow over topography. In contrast to previous research, we will consider the wave pattern generated by the flow of water over the reef. Solutions are presented for the wave patterns and velocity profiles for a reef located off the North Queensland coast near Townsville. We present results for fully non‐linear flow and compare them with the linear solutions. We investigate the parameter values that change the wave profile, in particular the size and shape of the reef. As these solutions are analytical, the velocity field is immediately available. We provide velocity fields for the reef and show that there is a significant change to the vertical component of the velocity for the finite amplitude waves compared with linear wave theory. We briefly discuss the effect this has on sediment mixing and deposition around the reef.
Journal
N/A
Publication Name
Pacem in Maribus XXXI Conference: Building Bridges Towards Integrated Oceans Governance: Linking Ocean Science, Engineering, Technology and Policy
Volume
N/A
ISBN/ISSN
978-92-95054-00-4
Edition
N/A
Issue
N/A
Pages Count
15
Location
Townsville, QLD, Australia
Publisher
International Ocean Institute Operational Centre for Australia and the Western Pacific
Publisher Url
N/A
Publisher Location
Townsville, Queensland
Publish Date
N/A
Url
N/A
Date
N/A
EISSN
N/A
DOI
N/A