Three-dimensional tide and surge modelling and layered particle tracking techniques applied to Southern Australian coastal seas

Abstract

This thesis reports the development, testing, and application of computer programs for simulating Lagrangian-Stochastic particle dispersion in coastal seas, with particular application to tide and storm induced dispersion in South Australian seas.

The three-dimensional tidal equations are briefly discussed for the two types of surge models used, and finite-difference methods for numerically solving these equations are considered. Different methods of simulating flows at open sea boundaries are investigated. The method of particle tracking and the development of the particle tracking model is also described. Various tests are conducted to investigate both the advective and diffusive aspects of dispersion, and a number of scenarios for the simulation of open (ocean) and closed (coastal) boundaries are considered. Various aspects of the particle tracking routine are given specific characteristics according to the nature of the particle being considered.

Application of the tide and storm surge model to the Great Australian Bight is described. This uses spherical polar co-ordinates to account for the curvature of the earth, and an oblique boundary element to increase accuracy of the coastline representation. The effect of a low pressure system moving from west to east across the Bight and the resulting significant observed surge at Thevenard during the storm of April 1996 is simulated.

This storm resulted in a significant number of deaths in aquaculture farms containing southern bluefin tuna (Thunnas maccoyii) within the Boston Bay region to the extreme east of the Bight due to the agitation of almost neutrally buoyant organic sediments at the sea floor. The effects of this storm are further considered using a Cartesian co-ordinate fine-grid local model of Boston Bay, in Spencer Gulf, South Australia, where both tidal and storm (wind and outside surge) induced flows are simulated. The dispersion of suspended neutrally buoyant sediment throughout the region is considered, and compared with the mortalities of tuna at various farms within the region.

Tidal and storm induced currents in the Gulf St. Vincent region, South Australia, have also been modelled using Cartesian co-ordinates. Detailed consideration has been given to the modelling of tides, winds, atmospheric pressures and outside surges from the two open boundaries in Investigator Strait and Backstairs Passage. The information obtained has enabled the modelling of a number of storm surge scenarios. Further to this, various simulations of the dispersion of the larvae of the western king prawn (Penaeus latisulcatus) have been driven using the storm surge model developed. These incorporate currents near the surface and the sea floor, as well as the consideration of changes in behaviour during the life history of the larvae.