Publications

Li, YD; Li, XF (2016). Remote sensing observations and numerical studies of a super typhoon-induced suspended sediment concentration variation in the East China Sea. OCEAN MODELLING, 104, 187-202.

Abstract
By integrating remote sensing observations and a numerical modeling technique, we studied the influences of super Typhoon Saomai on the suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in the Yangtze River estuary and its adjacent coastal areas in the East China Sea. First, three consecutive Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images acquired during the post-typhoon stage were used to estimate the SSC. Then, we implemented a hydrodynamic model, including a sediment transport module, based on Delft3D to simulate the sediment erosion, re-suspension, transport and deposition processes in the study area during the passage of Typhoon Saomai. The model-simulated water level was validated against the in situ station data to show the feasibility of the model. The simulated SSC results agree reasonably well with the satellite observations. Time series of the simulation results showed that the model revealed the whole SSC variations during this extreme weather event and made up for the scarcity of in-situ and satellite observations. SSC significantly increased during the passage of the typhoon and decreased gradually during the post-typhoon stage. Modeled results also reveal that the spring-neap tidal effect significantly controlled the distribution and variation of SSC in the shallower coastal water (<20-30 m in depth) and the typhoon-induced re-suspension is evident in most of the study area, especially in the coastal waters near the Yangtze River estuary and Hangzhou Bay during the passage of the typhoon. Finally, based on the simulation results, we discuss the dynamic mechanisms including turbulent energy, bed shear stress and vertical mixing that caused the SSC variation. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOI:
10.1016/j.ocemod.2016.06.010

ISSN:
1463-5003