Analysis and Development of Oceanographic Models: reaching the Swash Zone

Analisi e sviluppo di modelli oceanografici: per raggiungere la zona di battigia La battigia è la parte della spiaggia dove la dissipazione finale delll’energia delle onde di solito si verifica, mentre l’energia delle onde a bassa frequenza è, generalmente, riflessa verso mare. Inoltre, avviene anche la generazione e la riflessione di ulteriori onde a bassa frequenza. I flussi nella zona di bat- tigia sono di fondamentale importanza non solo per i loro effetti locali ma anche perché possono influenzare la dinamica di tutta la zona costiera. No- nostante la sua importanza, i tipici modelli di circolazione non tengono conto della dinamica della zona di battigia e al contorno di riva vengono applicate condizioni semplificate. Spesso queste condizioni sono prevedono il totale assorbimento o la perfetta riflessione delle onde incidenti (parete rigida), al confine verso costa del dominio computazionale. Tuttavia, all’interno di una zona di battigia infinitesimale nessuna generazione o modifica di onde a bas- sa frequenza può verificarsi e tutte le onde in arrivo a bassa frequenza sono riflesse in un unico punto. Con questo contributo si esplora la possibilità di implementare in solutori di tipo wave-averaged , un modello teorico che tiene pienamente conto, attraverso un approccio integrale, delle dinamiche zona di battigia. Una volta che tale modello è implementato, il risolutore wave-averaged sarà in grado di calcolare la posizione della linea di riva e di fornire lungo questa le principali proprietà del flusso. Che tengono conto della dinamiche della zona di battigia.Il modello idrodinamico ROMS e il modello d’onda SWAN sono stati entrambi utilizzati individualmente (soluzione di riferimento ROM Ss l) o in combinazione con un di routine per il calcolo delle SBCs per il calcolo di una linea di riva media e per fornire lungo di essa le condizione al contorno (SBCS) che tengono conto della dinamica della zona di battigia (soluzione ROM SSBC da testare). La forzante è stata fornita imponendo treni dionde entranti lungo il bordo del dominio di calcolo a largo di SWAN. L’utilizzo di ROM Ssl ad alte risoluzioni, consente di raggiungere ac- que poco profonde dove la condizione di muro artificiale descrive bene il movimento litorale. Utilizzando le SBCs proposte ci hanno permesso di riprodurre una linea di riva simile a quella ottenuta da ROM Ssl con una risoluzione di 0,1 m ma utilizzando una griglia più grossolana di 4 m. Alla risoluzione più grossolana di 8 m anche le SBCs proposte non possono adeguatamente rappresentare xl . Il tempo necessario per la simulazione eseguita con ROMS ad alta ri- soluzione è dell’ordine di alcune ore, mentre quello effettuato con le SBCs proposte con una risoluzione quaranta volte più grossolana è dell’ordine di alcuni minuti. Qui, il grande vantaggio, in termini di costo computazionale, di utilizzare le proposte SBC è molto evidente. Analisi parametriche dell’equazione di evoluzione della linea di riva media, rivela che il volume della zona di battigia, sembra cambiare per importanza tra i diversi esperimenti numericiAnalysis and Development of Oceanographic Models: reaching the Swash Zone The swash zone is the part of the beach where the final dissipation of short- wave energy usually occurs, while low-frequency wave energy is, generally, reflected back to sea. In addition, there is generation and reflection of further low-frequency waves. Swash zone flows are of fundamental importance not only because of their local effects but also because they can affect the surf zone dynamics as a whole. Notwithstanding its importance, typical circulation models do not account for the swash zone dynamics and simplified boundary conditions are often used, like that of perfect absorption or perfect reflection (rigid wall), at the inshore boundary of the computational domain. However, within such infinitesimal swash zone no generation or modification of low frequency waves can occur and all incoming low frequency waves are reflected at a single point. With this contribution we explore the possibility of implementing into wave-averaged solvers, a theoretical model that gives full account, through an integral approach, of the swash zone dynamics. Once such model is im- plemented, the wave-averaged solver will be able to calculate the position of a mean shore line and provide along it shoreline boundary condition (SBCs) which take in account of the swash zone dynamics.The hydrodynamic model ROMS and the wave driver SWAN have been both run alone into the COAWST modeling system (reference solution ROM Ssl ) and run in conjunction with a purpose-built routine for both: the calcula- tion of a mean shoreline and to provide along it shoreline boundary condi- tion (SBCs) which take into account of the swash zone dynamics (solution ROM SSBCs to be tested). Forcing was provided by imposing shore-normal waves at the off-shore boundary of the SWAN domain. Running ROM Ssl at really high resolutions, allows to reach the very shallow waters where the artificial shoreline conditions of rigid wall describes well the shoreline motion. Using the proposed SBCs allowed us to reproduce a shoreline close to the one obtained by ROM Ssl with a 0.1 m cross-shore resolution, but using a much coarser grid of 4 m. At the coarser resolution of 8 m also the proposed SBCs cannot properly represent xl . The time needed for the simulation run with the best resolved ROMS solution is in the order of some hours, while the one carried out with the proposed SBCs and a fourty times coarser cross-shore resolution is in the order of some minutes. Hence, the great advantage, in terms of computational costs, of using the proposed SBCs is very evident. A parametric analysis of the evolution equation for the mean shoreline reveals that the swash zone volume, seems to change in importance across different numerical experiments thus, further investigations are needed to clarify its importance. Sensitivity analyses have been carried out also to test the best location where to start the integration of the Riemann function. These analysis confirmed the importance of a good estimation of positive Riemann variable for a good estimation of the shoreline motion

Analysis and Development of Oceanographic Models: reaching the Swash Zone

Analisi e sviluppo di modelli oceanografici: per raggiungere la zona di battigia La battigia è la parte della spiaggia dove la dissipazione finale delll’energia delle onde di solito si verifica, mentre l’energia delle onde a bassa frequenza è, generalmente, riflessa verso mare. Inoltre, avviene anche la generazione e la riflessione di ulteriori onde a bassa frequenza. I flussi nella zona di bat- tigia sono di fondamentale importanza non solo per i loro effetti locali ma anche perché possono influenzare la dinamica di tutta la zona costiera. No- nostante la sua importanza, i tipici modelli di circolazione non tengono conto della dinamica della zona di battigia e al contorno di riva vengono applicate condizioni semplificate. Spesso queste condizioni sono prevedono il totale assorbimento o la perfetta riflessione delle onde incidenti (parete rigida), al confine verso costa del dominio computazionale. Tuttavia, all’interno di una zona di battigia infinitesimale nessuna generazione o modifica di onde a bas- sa frequenza può verificarsi e tutte le onde in arrivo a bassa frequenza sono riflesse in un unico punto. Con questo contributo si esplora la possibilità di implementare in solutori di tipo wave-averaged , un modello teorico che tiene pienamente conto, attraverso un approccio integrale, delle dinamiche zona di battigia. Una volta che tale modello è implementato, il risolutore wave-averaged sarà in grado di calcolare la posizione della linea di riva e di fornire lungo questa le principali proprietà del flusso. Che tengono conto della dinamiche della zona di battigia.Il modello idrodinamico ROMS e il modello d’onda SWAN sono stati entrambi utilizzati individualmente (soluzione di riferimento ROM Ss l) o in combinazione con un di routine per il calcolo delle SBCs per il calcolo di una linea di riva media e per fornire lungo di essa le condizione al contorno (SBCS) che tengono conto della dinamica della zona di battigia (soluzione ROM SSBC da testare). La forzante è stata fornita imponendo treni dionde entranti lungo il bordo del dominio di calcolo a largo di SWAN. L’utilizzo di ROM Ssl ad alte risoluzioni, consente di raggiungere ac- que poco profonde dove la condizione di muro artificiale descrive bene il movimento litorale. Utilizzando le SBCs proposte ci hanno permesso di riprodurre una linea di riva simile a quella ottenuta da ROM Ssl con una risoluzione di 0,1 m ma utilizzando una griglia più grossolana di 4 m. Alla risoluzione più grossolana di 8 m anche le SBCs proposte non possono adeguatamente rappresentare xl . Il tempo necessario per la simulazione eseguita con ROMS ad alta ri- soluzione è dell’ordine di alcune ore, mentre quello effettuato con le SBCs proposte con una risoluzione quaranta volte più grossolana è dell’ordine di alcuni minuti. Qui, il grande vantaggio, in termini di costo computazionale, di utilizzare le proposte SBC è molto evidente. Analisi parametriche dell’equazione di evoluzione della linea di riva media, rivela che il volume della zona di battigia, sembra cambiare per importanza tra i diversi esperimenti numericiAnalysis and Development of Oceanographic Models: reaching the Swash Zone The swash zone is the part of the beach where the final dissipation of short- wave energy usually occurs, while low-frequency wave energy is, generally, reflected back to sea. In addition, there is generation and reflection of further low-frequency waves. Swash zone flows are of fundamental importance not only because of their local effects but also because they can affect the surf zone dynamics as a whole. Notwithstanding its importance, typical circulation models do not account for the swash zone dynamics and simplified boundary conditions are often used, like that of perfect absorption or perfect reflection (rigid wall), at the inshore boundary of the computational domain. However, within such infinitesimal swash zone no generation or modification of low frequency waves can occur and all incoming low frequency waves are reflected at a single point. With this contribution we explore the possibility of implementing into wave-averaged solvers, a theoretical model that gives full account, through an integral approach, of the swash zone dynamics. Once such model is im- plemented, the wave-averaged solver will be able to calculate the position of a mean shore line and provide along it shoreline boundary condition (SBCs) which take in account of the swash zone dynamics.The hydrodynamic model ROMS and the wave driver SWAN have been both run alone into the COAWST modeling system (reference solution ROM Ssl ) and run in conjunction with a purpose-built routine for both: the calcula- tion of a mean shoreline and to provide along it shoreline boundary condi- tion (SBCs) which take into account of the swash zone dynamics (solution ROM SSBCs to be tested). Forcing was provided by imposing shore-normal waves at the off-shore boundary of the SWAN domain. Running ROM Ssl at really high resolutions, allows to reach the very shallow waters where the artificial shoreline conditions of rigid wall describes well the shoreline motion. Using the proposed SBCs allowed us to reproduce a shoreline close to the one obtained by ROM Ssl with a 0.1 m cross-shore resolution, but using a much coarser grid of 4 m. At the coarser resolution of 8 m also the proposed SBCs cannot properly represent xl . The time needed for the simulation run with the best resolved ROMS solution is in the order of some hours, while the one carried out with the proposed SBCs and a fourty times coarser cross-shore resolution is in the order of some minutes. Hence, the great advantage, in terms of computational costs, of using the proposed SBCs is very evident. A parametric analysis of the evolution equation for the mean shoreline reveals that the swash zone volume, seems to change in importance across different numerical experiments thus, further investigations are needed to clarify its importance. Sensitivity analyses have been carried out also to test the best location where to start the integration of the Riemann function. These analysis confirmed the importance of a good estimation of positive Riemann variable for a good estimation of the shoreline motion

Assessment of the impact of climate variability and human activities on the runoff in five catchments of the Adriatic Coast of south-central Italy

Abstract Study region South-central Italy. Study focus A detailed analysis is carried out in five catchments in the Adriatic Coast where a complex system of artificial lakes, forced conducts and hydropower stations has modified the river regime. This together with the decrease of the annual rainfall in central Italy, make quantifying the relative contributions of human activities and climatic variability to streamflow change a challenging task. Statistically significant trends in annual rainfall and streamflow and change points in runoff have been investigated. Potential changes in precipitation-runoff relationship have been examined and a quantitative evaluation of the effect of climate variability and human activities on runoff has been assessed separately. New hydrological insights for the region Significant negative trends in runoff have been found in all the catchments, except the Feltrino river. Precipitation also exhibits negative trend, except the Pescara basin. Significant change points in runoff were detected in all the basins and the study period was divided in a pre-change and a post-change period. By climate elasticity method the climatic variability seems to be the main driving factor of the runoff decrease. Only for the Pescara river human activities were dominant factors of the runoff reduction, as expected from the absence of any significant trend in the annual precipitation. The hydrological model confirms this result, although the assessment of two contributions is affected by some uncertainties

Changes in Precipitation-Runoff Relationship in Six Catchments of the Adriatic Coast of Central Italy

Besides climate change, human activities may introduce variability in the flow regime. Thus, investigation of the impacts of climate change and human activity on hydrology recently has become an important issue. In this paper hydrological data of six catchments in the coastal area of the Adriatic sea, in central Italy, were used to detect statistically significant trends and change points in annual rainfall and streamflow. Moreover, potential changes in precipitation-runoff relationship have been investigated and finally a quantitative evaluation of the effect of climate variability and human activities on runoff has been assessed separately, with the former individuated as the more influent

The Mantle Transcriptome of Chamelea gallina (Mollusca: Bivalvia) and Shell Biomineralization

8The striped venus Chamelea gallina is a bivalve mollusc that represents one of the most important fishery resources of the Adriatic Sea. In this work, we investigated for the first time the ability of this species to modulate the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in biomineralization process in response to biotic and abiotic factors. We provided the first comprehensive transcriptome from the mantle tissue of clams collected in two sampling sites located along the Italian Adriatic coast and characterized by different environmental features. Moreover, the assessment of environmental parameters, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements on valves were conducted to better contextualize RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data. Functional annotation of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and SEM observations highlighted a different shell mineralization behaviour in C. gallina clams collected from two selected sites characterized by diverse environmental parameters.openopenCarducci, Federica; Biscotti, Maria Assunta; Mosca, Alessandro; Greco, Samuele; Gerdol, Marco; Memmola, Francesco; Barucca, Marco; Canapa, AdrianaCarducci, Federica; Biscotti, Maria Assunta; Mosca, Alessandro; Greco, Samuele; Gerdol, Marco; Memmola, Francesco; Barucca, Marco; Canapa, Adrian

Congenital aorto-right ventricular fistula associated with pulmonary hypertension in an old female patient

We report a late clinical presentation of an aorto-right ventricular fistula (RVF) extending from the right sinus of Valsalva into the RV outflow tract with significant left-to-right shunt and severe pulmonary hypertension. A three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiogram and a chest-computed tomography scans were performed to better characterize the abnormality. Aorto- RVF can be either congenital or acquired, secondary to endocarditis, Valsalva aneurysm rupture, chest trauma, or aortic dissection

A model chain approach for coastal inundation: Application to the bay of Alghero

Coastal inundation is an important threat for many nearshore regions worldwide, and has significantly increased in the last years also due to sea-level rise and augmented impact of extreme events, like sea storms. Many countries and regions have recently invested to overcome such problems, which commonly lead to structure damages, beach erosion and many other consequences. Numerical modeling is an important tool for coastal inundation prediction, being a valuable support for management issues to mitigate the inundation risk or suggest resilient solutions. The present work illustrates a novel approach, based on a numerical model chain that exploits a tide-surge-wave operational modeling system (Kassandra), a phase-averaged model (ROMS-SWAN) for the wave propagation towards the shore, and a phase-resolving solver (NSWE) for the prediction of runup and coastal inundation. Such a chain is applied to the bay of Alghero (Sardinia, Italy), where the results of the mentioned chain are compared to those obtained using, in place of the phase-averaged model, an analytical model for the wave propagation. Results confirm that both chain approaches provide comparable inundations, though the use of the analytical, more approximate (e.g., less accurate and reliable description of wave breaking dissipation), model suggests more severe conditions and larger flooded areas. Our contribution provides a methodological approach for an accurate and reliable estimate of coastal flooding

An Integrated Web-Based GIS Platform for the Environmental Monitoring of Industrial Emissions: Preliminary Results of the Project

The European regulatory framework requires prior authorization for the use of plants and activities that may impact the environment, to ensure an adequate level of environmental and human health protection. Data on industrial wastewater, urban sewage, atmospheric emissions and waste management of installations subject to licenses generate interest among stakeholders (Environmental Protection Agencies, Police Forces, regions, provinces, municipalities, Local Health Authorities, operators, research bodies, citizens), but unfortunately, they are not properly digitized and processed, as they are often unavailable. Therefore, the main goal of this project is to provide a flexible, interactive and easy-to-use tool for stakeholders to allow them to consult these kinds of environmental data. For this purpose, a database integrated with a web-based Geographical Information System (GIS) platform to collect, manage and share pollutant emissions data, is currently being designed and developed. The web platform offers to users interconnected informative modules on required authorizations, license processes and analytical controls. Moreover, stored data from industries and on emissions are georeferenced and displayed in a web GIS map. Stakeholders have free but limited access to specific sections of the web platform, depending on their tasks. They can consult environmental data and GIS representations, download reports or documents and enter new data. This web application seeks to: (1) promote collaboration among stakeholders, (2) simplify the monitoring of an installation’s authorization status and industrial emissions trends, (3) optimize the environmental licensing procedures, (4) enhance the management of environmental control by the relevant authorities, (5) support health and environmental research, and (6) provide industries with innovative services for data transmission. To evaluate the performance and benefits of the newly-developed tool, a real-life pilot case has been applied using data from industries located in the Province of Ascoli Piceno (Marche region, Italy)