Characterisation of the Water Renewal in a Macro-Tidal Marina Using Several Transport Timescales

International audienceIn this paper, we investigate the water renewal of a highly populated marina, located in the southwest of France, and subjected to a macro-tidal regime. With the use of a 3D-numerical model (TELEMAC-3D), three water transport timescales were studied and compared to provide a fully detailed description of the physical processes occurring in the marina. Integrated Flushing times (IFT) were computed through a Eulerian way while a Lagrangian method allowed to estimate Residence Times (RT) and Exposure Times (ET). From these timescales, the return-flow (the fraction of water that re-enters the marina at flood after leaving the domain at ebb) was quantified via the Return-flow Factor (RFF) and the Return Coefficient (RC) parameters. The intrinsic information contained in these parameters is thoroughly analysed, and their relevance is discussed. A wide range of weather-marine conditions was tested to provide the most exhaustive information about the processes occurring in the marina. The results highlight the significant influence of the tide and the wind as well as the smaller influence of the Floating Structures (FS) on the renewal. Besides, this study provides the first investigation of the water exchange processes of La Rochelle marina. It offers some content that interest researchers and environmental managers in the monitoring of pollutants as well as biological/ecological applications

Erosions, dépots et transits sédimentaires associés dans le bassin de Marennes-Oléron

La gestion des sédiments dans le bassin de Marennes-Oléron nécessite une connaissance des flux particulaires et des bilans sédimentaires à l’échelle du bassin, et une description des conditions dominantes dans lesquelles les transits se produisent. Un modèle de dynamique sédimentaire prenant en compte le transport simultané des sables et des vases sous l’effet des vagues et des courants a été appliqué au secteur côtier des Pertuis Charentais. La consolidation des vases et des mélanges de sable et de vase est simulée. La validation est réalisée à l’aide de mesures de courant, de suivis altimétriques en 8 points pendant un an, d’enregistrements de pression pour les vagues sur estran et de mesures de turbidité. Une dissymétrie entre l’est et l’ouest du bassin pour la turbidité est constatée, en accord avec une circulation résiduelle nord/sud. Cette circulation moyenne générée par la marée entraîne un transit résiduel de matériel fin vers le sud, qui est partiellement piégé dans le bassin. Le modèle identifie la zone à l’est du pertuis d’Antioche comme principale source de cette dérive, ce qui reste à valider. Les tempêtes sont susceptibles d’inverser ces flux, mais sur des périodes courtes. Pourtant, ce sont elles et les agitations locales qui génèrent les fortes turbidités. Le modèle met en évidence la variabilité de la nature du sédiment superficiel, à l’échelle de la marée ou à la suite de tempêtes

Dynamics and management of siltation in a macro-tidal marina: The case of La rochelle marina, France

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Temporal (1948-2012) and dynamic evolution of the Wouri estuary coastline within the gulf of Guinea

International audienceThe Wouri estuary is located in the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic coast of Cameroon’s coastline plain (3°49′ and 4°04′ north latitude and 9°20′ to 9°40′ east longitude), and is strongly influenced by coastal dynamics that have remained unquantified over a long period of time. This study analyzed the historical evolution of the Wouri estuarine coastline between 1948 and 2012. Variations in the estuarine evolution of the Wouri were studied from (i) minute topographic extracts from 1948, (ii) 1996–1999 nautical charts, and (iii) 2012 spatial map vectors. The net temporal spatial variation rates were calculated using the statistical methods of the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS). These change rates were also calculated over two time intervals (1948–1996 and 1996–2012) and over a 64-year period (1948–2012). The study reveals highly disparate results. Indeed, kinematics show that the Wouri estuary was dominated by erosion in its downstream section, with 262.83 ha for −3.2 m/year and 110.56 ha for −5.8 m/year between 1948–1996 and 1996–2012 respectively, and by accretion on the other hand in its upstream section, with 239.17 ha for 4.3 m/year in zone 5 between 1948–1996 and 150.82 ha for 12.6 m/year in zone 4 between 1996–2012. Thus, over the 64-year period (1948–2012), we have a dominance of variation by erosion downstream and conversely by accretion upstream, marked by the presence of amplifying factors (anthropogenic pressure and climate change) of the rate of variation of morphological evolution at the beginning of the 21st century, as compared to the middle-20th century. The observed development of sediment loss and accumulation, both influences and will influence, the sediment regime along the Wouri estuarine coastline. There is a need to develop a systematic sub-regional coastal surveillance activity to effectively manage Cameroon’s coastline syste

Érosions, dépôts et transits sédimentaires associés dans le bassin de Marennes - Oléron

Erosion and deposition patterns and associated sediment transport in the Marennes-Oléron bay (France) Managing sediments in the baie de Marennes-Oléron (Atlantic coast of France) can be achieved providing particulate fluxes at the scale of the basin are available, as well as tidal and meteorological conditions during which major transports occur. A sediment dynamics model accounting for tide-and wave-induced sand and mud transport has been applied to the Pertuis Charentais area. Consolidation of pure mud and mixtures of sand and mud is accounted for. The model validation is achieved by current and turbidity measurements, local altimetric surveys during one year and pressure measurements for waves on the tidal flat. An asymmetry between eastern and western halves of the bay is observed on turbidity signals, in agreement with a residual circulation from north to south. This flow generates a net fine sediment transport towards the south. A part of it is deposited within the bay. According to the model, the eroded area east of Antioche inlet would be the main source of this southward flux : this feature has to be validated. The flux can be inversed during storms, but for a short duration. However, waves are dominant in the resuspension process. Last, the variability of sediment nature is demonstrated with the model, at different time scales in relation with tidal phases and storm.La gestion des sédiments dans le bassin de Marennes-Oléron nécessite une connaissance des flux particulaires et des bilans sédimentaires à l’échelle du bassin, et une description des conditions dominantes dans lesquelles les transits se produisent. Un modèle de dynamique sédimentaire prenant en compte le transport simultané des sables et des vases sous l’effet des vagues et des courants a été appliqué au secteur côtier des Pertuis Charentais. La consolidation des vases et des mélanges de sable et de vase est simulée. La validation est réalisée à l’aide de mesures de courant, de suivis altimétriques en 8 points pendant un an, d’enregistrements de pression pour les vagues sur estran et de mesures de turbidité. Une dissymétrie entre l’est et l’ouest du bassin pour la turbidité est constatée, en accord avec une circulation résiduelle nord/ sud. Cette circulation moyenne générée par la marée entraîne un transit résiduel de matériel fin vers le sud, qui est partiellement piégé dans le bassin. Le modèle identifie la zone à l’est du pertuis d’Antioche comme principale source de cette dérive, ce qui reste à valider. Les tempêtes sont susceptibles d’inverser ces flux, mais sur des périodes courtes. Pourtant, ce sont elles et les agitations locales qui génèrent les fortes turbidités. Le modèle met en évidence la variabilité de la nature du sédiment superficiel, à l’échelle de la marée ou à la suite de tempêtes.Le Hir Pierre, Kervella Stéphane, Walker Patrice, Brenon Isabelle. Érosions, dépôts et transits sédimentaires associés dans le bassin de Marennes - Oléron. In: 31èmes Journées de l’Hydraulique de la Société Hydrotechnique de France. Morphodynamique et gestion des sédiments dans les estuaires, les baies et les deltas. 22 et 23 SEPTEMBRE 2009. 2009

Fortnightly tidal asymmetry inversions and perspectives on sediment dynamics in a macrotidal estuary (Charente, France)

Tidal asymmetry is a phenomenon that characterises estuarine hydrodynamics and has a strong impact on sediment dynamics. Extensive research has been dedicated to studying tidal dynamics in semidiurnal macrotidal estuaries, highlighting several general principles. The ratio of flood to ebb peak velocities and differences in ebb and flood durations are often used to characterise the asymmetry encountered in estuaries. In the Charente estuary (French Atlantic coast), water surface elevation data obtained using an ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) and a tide gauge show that the duration asymmetry undergoes inversions during the spring-neap tidal cycle. A two-dimensional hydrodynamics model is used to investigate the connection between spring-neap inversions of the tidal asymmetry and the harmonic composition of the tide. Different constituents (M2, S2, M4 and MS4) are considered at the open boundary. The results show that M4 and MS4 play a key role in the occurrence of these inversions. The influence of the morphology is also discussed and modifications of the bathymetry are performed to evaluate its impact. In the Charente estuary, the existence of both externally and internally generated overtides thus results in a spatially and fortnightly variable tidal asymmetry. The modelled barotropic tidal currents are used to estimate the possible impact on sediment dynamics. The results suggest that asymmetry inversions tend to create sediment accumulation in an intermediate zone between the river mouth and Rochefort, located approximately 20 km upstream

PAMELi, un drone marin de surface au service de l’interdisciplinarité

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