New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts
Tidal circulation in Tasman and Golden Bays: implications for river plume
behaviour
Benjamin J. Tuckey
Mark T. Gibbs
Benjamin R. Knight
Paul A. Gillespie
Cawthron Institute
Private Bag 2
Nelson
New Zealand
email: mark.gibbs@cawthron.org.nz
Abstract An investigation into the tidal residual circulation
in the Tasman/Golden Bays system was performed. This investigation involved
collecting hydrographic and current meter data, and configuring a numerical
circulation model. The model was able to reproduce the gross features of the
major tidal flows within the system revealed by the data. The simulated tidal
residual circulation conformed to that previously suggested, except along the
western side of Tasman Bay where this investigation suggests that residual
flows move northwards. The validated model was then used to produce simulations
of the fate of the plumes from the major rivers. Salinity field simulations
describing different river flow and wind direction/velocity scenarios suggest
that the Motueka River plume can cover considerable proportions of western
side Tasman Bay, extending into Golden Bay during flood conditions. The embedded
sediment transport model was also used to investigate the fate of fine sediments
entering the bays. Simulated distribution patterns of fine sediments entering
the bays from the four major tributaries were found to be consistent with existing
bathymetric and seabed substrate characteristics.
Keywords Tasman Bay; tidal circulation; tidal model; New
Zealand
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2006, Vol. 40:
305–324
0028–8330/06/4002–0305 © The Royal
Society of New Zealand 2006
M04117; Online publication date 3 May 2006. Received 2 June 2004;
accepted 12 June 2005
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