scholarly journals AN IDEALIZED MODEL OF TIDAL DYNAMICS IN SEMI-ENCLOSED BASINS: THE EFFECTS OF A MEGA-SCALE SAND EXTRACTION TRENCH IN THE NORTH SEA

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (32) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Wiebe P De Boer ◽  
Pieter C Roos ◽  
Suzanne J M H Hulscher ◽  
Ad Stolk

We investigate the effects of a mega-scale sand extraction trench (length ~200 km, width ~10 km, depth ~10 m, located in front of the Dutch coast) on tidal dynamics in the Southern North Sea. To this end, an idealized modeling approach is adopted, extending the classical problem of Kelvin wave reflection in rectangular semi-enclosed basins to account for lateral depth variations and the presence of a trench. The model results indicate changes in tidal range (zones of decrease and increase of the order of several cm), phase and currents (order cm/s) throughout the whole basin, which emphasizes the importance of a model domain on the scale of the basin. The changes in currents may structurally change sediment transport rates by several percents, which is relevant to coastal morphology. It is argued that this idealized model can be used to support a companion study carried out with a more detailed numerical engineering model. This is because of its ability to (1) provide insight into the physical mechanisms, (2) reveal the order of magnitude and area of influence of the effects and (3) allow for a quick sensitivity analysis with respect to trench geometry.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenguo Li ◽  
Bernhard Mayer ◽  
Thomas Pohlmann

<p>Tidal range is one of significant contributors of coastal inundation. Therefore, it is very important to investigate the dynamics of tidal range variations over different time scales. The baroclinity has the potential to modulate surface tides through ocean stratification on seasonal scale. In order to better understand the impact of ocean stratification on tidal ranges in the North Sea, the numerical simulations were carried out in baroclinic and barotropic modes covering the period from 1948 to 2014, using the regional 3D hydrodynamic prognostic Hamburg Shelf Ocean Model (HAMSOM). In the barotropic mode, the river forcing was also included, which only increases the local sea level without any influence on the density. The tidal range difference between baroclinic and barotropic modes in winter (less stratification) and summer (strong stratification) are compared at 22 tide-gauge stations, where the simulated sea surface elevations agree well with observations from 1950 to 2014. The statistical analysis generally shows that the difference at 19 stations (86% of total stations) in summer is much larger than that in winter during more than 32 years (50% of the analysis period). This suggests that the stratification decouples the surface and bottom layers weakening the damping effects of bottom friction, which is visible even at the coastal tide-gauge stations, where the ocean water is well-mixed. Obviously, the signal induced by stratification is propagated by the tidal Kelvin wave through the North Sea. Additionally, the spatial distribution of tidal range differences indicate that the amphidromic points in the North Sea moved westward in the baroclinic mode. Regarding the seasonal mean sea level at the stations, the results show that the coastal sea level could be increased by baroclinity itself, since the river runoff freshens the coastal water in the baroclinic mode, and thus the local sea level increases due to steric effect. Consequently, the increased sea level could further weaken the damping effect. However, this is a relatively minor impact on the tidal range.</p>


2011 ◽  
Vol 61 (12) ◽  
pp. 2019-2035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieter C. Roos ◽  
Jorick J. Velema ◽  
Suzanne J. M. H. Hulscher ◽  
Ad Stolk

Records of sea level for several North Sea ports for the winter of 1953-4 have been in vestigated. They were split into 14-day intervals, and each 14-day record was Fourieranalyzed to determine if any non-astronomical periods were present. There was evidence of some activity between 40 and 50 h period, and a determination of the phase angles at different ports showed that the activity could be due to a disturbance travelling southwards from the north of the North Sea. The disturbance was partly reflected somewhere near the line from Lowestoft to Flushing, so that one part returned past Flushing and Esbjerg towards Bergen while the other part travelled towards Dover, and there was evidence of its existence on the sea-current records taken near St Margaret's Bay. These results were confirmed by subtracting the predicted astronomical tidal levels from the observed values of sea level and cross-correlating the residuals so obtained for each port with those found at Lowestoft. The residuals at Lowestoft and Aberdeen were compared with the meteorological conditions, and it was found that, although they could be attributed to a large extent to conditions within the North Sea, there was an additional effect due to a travelling surge which was of the same order of magnitude at both Lowestoft and Aberdeen and which was closely related to the rate of change with time of the atmospheric pressure difference between Wick and Bergen.


Ocean Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-219
Author(s):  
Igor P. Medvedev ◽  
Evgueni A. Kulikov ◽  
Isaac V. Fine

Abstract. The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed basin on Earth and a unique subject for the analysis of tidal dynamics. Tides in the basin are produced directly by the tide-generating forces. Using the Princeton Ocean Model (POM), we examine details of the spatial and temporal features of the tidal dynamics in the Caspian Sea. We present tidal charts of the amplitudes and phase lags of the major tidal constituents, together with maps of the form factor, tidal range, and tidal current speed. Semi-diurnal tides in the Caspian Sea are determined by a Taylor amphidromic system with anticlockwise rotation. The largest M2 amplitude is 6 cm and is located in Türkmen Aylagy (called Turkmen Bay hereafter). For the diurnal constituents, the Absheron Peninsula separates two individual amphidromes with anticlockwise rotation in the north and in the south. The maximum K1 amplitudes (up to 0.7–0.8 cm) are located in (1) the south-eastern part of the basin, (2) Türkmenbaşy Gulf, (3) Mangyshlak Bay; and (4) Kizlyar Bay. As a result, the semi-diurnal tides prevail over diurnal tides in the Caspian Sea. The maximum tidal range, of up to 21 cm, has been found in Turkmen Bay. The strongest tidal currents have been located in the straits to the north and south of Ogurja Ada, where speeds reach 22 and 19 cm s−1, respectively. Numerical simulations of the tides using different mean sea levels (within a range of 5 m) indicate that spatial features of the Caspian Sea tides are strongly sensitive to changes in mean sea level.


Author(s):  
Leon Jänicke ◽  
Andra Ebener ◽  
Sönke Dangendorf ◽  
Arne Arns ◽  
Michael Schindelegger ◽  
...  

Ocean Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Rasquin ◽  
Rita Seiffert ◽  
Benno Wachler ◽  
Norbert Winkel

Abstract. Due to climate change an accelerated mean sea level rise is expected. One key question for the development of adaptation measures is how mean sea level rise affects tidal dynamics in shelf seas such as the North Sea. Owing to its low-lying coastal areas, the German Bight (located in the southeast of the North Sea) will be especially affected. Numerical hydrodynamic models help to understand how mean sea level rise changes tidal dynamics. Models cannot adequately represent all processes in overall detail. One limiting factor is the resolution of the model grid. In this study we investigate which role the representation of the coastal bathymetry plays when analysing the response of tidal dynamics to mean sea level rise. Using a shelf model including the whole North Sea and a high-resolution hydrodynamic model of the German Bight we investigate the changes in M2 amplitude due to a mean sea level rise of 0.8 and 10 m. The shelf model and the German Bight Model react in different ways. In the simulations with a mean sea level rise of 0.8 m the M2 amplitude in the shelf model generally increases in the region of the German Bight. In contrast, the M2 amplitude in the German Bight Model increases only in some coastal areas and decreases in the northern part of the German Bight. In the simulations with a mean sea level rise of 10 m the M2 amplitude increases in both models with largely similar spatial patterns. In two case studies we adjust the German Bight Model in order to more closely resemble the shelf model. We find that a different resolution of the bathymetry results in different energy dissipation changes in response to mean sea level rise. Our results show that the resolution of the bathymetry especially in flat intertidal areas plays a crucial role for modelling the impact of mean sea level rise.


2004 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Van Simaeys

AbstractThe classical problem of the nature and age of the Rupelian-Chattian (Early-Late Oligocene) unconformity in its type region is here approached using organic walled dinoflagellate cyst (dinocyst) correlations between the North Sea Basin and well-calibrated central Italian (Tethyan Ocean) sections. Useful Oligocene dinocyst events are the last occurrence ofEnneadocysta pectiniformis(~29.3 Ma), and the first occurrences ofSaturnodinium pansum(~29.4 Ma),Distatodinium biffii(~27.9 Ma) andArtemisiocysta cladodichotoma(~26.7 Ma).The latter event marks the earliest Chattian. The improved correlations indicate that the Rupelian-Chattian (R-C) boundary is associated with the so-called ‘Oligocene Glacial Maximum’. This phase of important global cooling and glacio-eustatic sea level fall is genetically related to the unconformity between the classic Oligocene stages. Subsequent global warming (so-called ‘Late Oligocene Warming Event’), induced a major sea level rise, leading e.g. to the time-transgressive deposition of the typical basal Chattian glauconitic sands. The oldest of the Chattian units have a GPTS age of-26.7 Ma. It further appears that a hiatus of ~500 kyrs spans the classic Rupelian-Chattian unconformity.


1969 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Packham

The problem of the reflexion of tides in an enclosed sea such as the North Sea at a point at which it either enters the ocean or its width suddenly increases is considered by investigating the reflexion of a Kelvin wave at the open end of a rotating uniform semi-infinite channel.It is shown that for a given channel, if the wave period is less than a pendulum day, then, according to the linearized theory of long waves in a rotating system, the reflexion coefficient increases with the angular velocity of rotation. It is also shown that there is a resonance effect for certain critical channel widths, namely, those at which extra modes within the channel become possible.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
John-Morten Godhavn ◽  
Banzi Olorunju ◽  
Dmitri Gorski ◽  
Martin Kvernland ◽  
Mateus Sant`Ana ◽  
...  

Summary In this paper, we describe measured and simulated downhole pressure variations (“surge and swab”) during drillpipe connections when drilling an ultradeepwater well offshore Brazil on Bacalhau (former Carcará) Field. Floating rig motion caused by waves and swell (“rig heave”) induces surge and swab when the drillstring is suspended in slips to make up or break a drillpipe connection and topside heave compensation is temporarily deactivated. This is a known issue in regions with harsh weather, such as the North Sea, where pressure oscillations of up to 20 bar have been reported during connections. Recorded downhole drilling data from Bacalhau Field reveals significant pressure oscillations downhole (in the same order of magnitude as in the North Sea) each time the drillstring was suspended in slips to make a connection in the subsalt 8½-in. section of the well. Mud losses were experienced around the same well depth, and they might have been caused by surge and swab. Measured surge and swab pressure variations have been reproduced in an advanced proprietary surge and swab simulator that considers rig heave, drillpipe elasticity, well friction, non-Newtonian drilling mud, well trajectory, and geometry. Moreover, findings in this paper suggest that surge and swab was in fact significantly higher than recorded by the measurement while drilling (MWD) tool. The true magnitude of surge and swab is not captured in the recorded MWD data due to low sampling frequency of the downhole pressure recording (one measurement every 6 seconds, a standard downhole pressure sampling rate used on many operations today). This work shows that surge and swab during drillpipe connections on floaters may challenge the available pressure window for some wells, even in regions with calm weather such as Brazil. Managed pressure drilling (MPD) is a technique that improves control of the downhole pressure. It is, however, not possible to compensate fast downhole pressure transients, such as heave-induced surge and swab, using MPD choke topside. This is due to the long distance between the choke and the bit, which translates into a time delay in the same order of magnitude as typical wave and heave periods. A downhole choke combined with continuous circulation is one of the potential solutions. Surge and swab during drillpipe connections can result in a loss or an influx and should be considered in the well planning phase when mud weight, section lengths, etc. are selected.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leon Jänicke ◽  
Andra Ebener ◽  
Sönke Dangendorf ◽  
Arne Arns ◽  
Michael Schindelegger ◽  
...  

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