Print Email Facebook Twitter Simultaneous measurements of tidal straining and advection at two parallel transects far downstream in the Rhine ROFI Title Simultaneous measurements of tidal straining and advection at two parallel transects far downstream in the Rhine ROFI Author Rijnsburger, S. Van der Hout, C.M. Van Tongeren, O. De Boer, G.J. Van Prooijen, B.C. Borst, W.G. Pietrzak, J.D. Faculty Civil Engineering and Geosciences Department Hydraulic Engineering Date 2016-03-30 Abstract This study identifies and unravels the processes that lead to stratification and destratification in the far field of a Region of Freshwater Influence (ROFI). We present measurements that are novel for two reasons: (1) measurements were carried out with two vessels that sailed simultaneously over two cross-shore transects; (2) the measurements were carried out in the far field of the Rhine ROFI, 80 km downstream from the river mouth. This unique four dimensional dataset allows the application of the 3D potential energy anomaly equation for one of the first times on field data. With this equation, the relative importance of the depth mean advection, straining and nonlinear processes over one tidal cycle is assessed. The data shows that the Rhine ROFI extends 80 km downstream and periodic stratification is observed. The analysis not only shows the important role of cross-shore tidal straining but also the significance of along-shore straining and depth mean advection. In addition, the nonlinear terms seem to be small. The presence of all the terms influences the timing of maximum stratification. The analysis also shows that the importance of each term varies in the cross-shore direction. One of the most interesting findings is that the data are not inline with several hypotheses on the functioning of straining and advection in ROFIs. This highlights the dynamic behaviour of the Rhine ROFI, which is valuable for understanding the distribution of fine sediments, contaminants and the protection of coasts. Subject Rhine river plumeROFIpotential energy anomaly equationtidal straining and advectionin situ measurements To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:0bc7ec0a-7e95-408d-bc48-edb3bb3b7036 Publisher Springer ISSN 1616-7341 Source https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-016-0947-x Source Ocean Dynamics, 2016 Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights (c) 2016 The Author(s)This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Files PDF Rijnsburger_2016.pdf 2.04 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:0bc7ec0a-7e95-408d-bc48-edb3bb3b7036/datastream/OBJ/view