Water Quantity and Quality Research for the Rhine Meuse Estuary

摘要

The effects of boundary conditions and changes in the tidal area on Rhine Meuse estuary water quantity and quality were studied. Tests carried out under cyclic and under time series conditions of several weeks show the importance of the interactions of harbors with the tidal boundary conditions. Wind effects generating elevations of the mean sea level introduce complex effects on the salinities. The mixing influence of harbors on the salinity distribution is significant. Closing all the harbors, implying decreased tidal filling and emptying volumes, results in an increase of vertical stratification and an increase of salinity intrusion. The same tendencies result from closing single harbors. Mathematical modeling of the estuary is discussed.