Numerical simulation of the tidal energy flux and tidal energy dissipation in Liaohe River Estuary

The tidal energy flux and dissipation in the estuary are valuable references for the researches on sediment transportation and topography formation.In the present study,an FVCOM (finite-volume coastal ocean model) model was established to investigate the tidal energy flux and dissipation in Liaohe estuary under the influence of the interaction between tidal currents and run-off currents.The results showed that the maximum tidal energy flux appeared in the southeast of Gaizhou Beach and the intensely narrowing and turning area of Shuangtaizihe and Daliaohe estuary.The tidal energy dissipation grew as the run-off flow increased,thus it was stronger in wet season than in normal and dry season.In Daliaohe estuary,the energy dissipation rate during spring tide is about two times higher than during neap tide.The largest tidal energy flow appeared at the springtide during one tidal period and the value is 56.08 KWm-1.These conclusions are important for understanding the hydrodynamic characteristics in Liaohe estuary and the dynamic process of estuarine deposition.