Numerical Modeling of Tides and Currents in Central Puget Sound and Elliott Bay

摘要

A linked set of numerical models, which are primarily based on a three-dimensional hydrodynamics model and a three-dimensional particle tracking model, were used to better understand the complex dynamics of currents in central Puget Sound and Elliott Bay. A coarse-grid two-layer model of the central Puget Sound, which obtained tidal transports as boundary conditions from an existing one-dimensional model, provides the current boundary conditions for the fine-grid four-layer model of the Elliott Bay region. The particle tracking model is applied to trace the possible trajectories of neutrally-buoyant water borne pollutants from known sources in central Puget Sound and Elliott Bay. Detailed tidal currents and residual currents in central Puget Sound and Elliott Bay are presented. The influence of bathymetry on residual currents in the study is also demonstrated. In addition to tidal forcing, effects of river inflow, wind, and density were also investigated in the models. Results show that the wind forcing has important effects on the currents in Elliott Bay.