Simulation of coastal currents and river discharges in the south-eastern Black Sea

In this study, development and evaluation of buoyant river plumes under the influence of the coastal currents and the guidance of topography in the south eastern Black Sea coast (Solakh and Surmene) rivers were analyzed. For simulation, the rivers are inputted as source of zero salinity in computer based simulation model CARDINAL, which uses depth averaged shallow water equation for two-dimensional conditions and the equations of non-steady. boundary layer for three-dimensional conditions. The river plumes are examined with realistic topography and idealized wind conditions. In order to check accuracy of the simulation, temperature, salinity, current speed and directions were measured in 22 stations and then density was calculated by using UNESCO formulae. Comparison of the measurements and modeling of currents showed good agreement. When both buoyancy and wind are employed as external forcing, the circulation is influenced by the. opposing tendencies for stratification. The present findings suggest that transport of low salinity waters depends on buoyancy in the vicinity of rivers and wind components away from river mouths.