Numerical Modeling of River-Influenced Coastal Ocean Dynamics
Naval Research Laboratory, MS, Ocean Sciences
Research objectives are to advance ocean modeling capability to realistically capture freshwater influence at multi-scales in the coastal ocean. Outcomes will include hydrology-ocean model coupling that routes overland flow and river runoff into estuaries and nearshore waters, as well as an advanced two-way coupling/nesting between coastal and regional scale ocean models to seamlessly represent the multi-scale effects of freshwater in the coastal ocean. Research questions to be addressed include (1) determination of an appropriate and efficient methodology and location for coupling hydrology and coastal ocean models that accomodates river discharge and overland runoff, as well as water level variability assocaited with tides and surge; and (2) selection and implementation of a coupling/nesting strategy that preserves highly nonlinear freshwater signals present in the circulation and stratification across multi-scales in the coastal ocean. The criteria for nesting strategy selection includes solution fidelity, robustness, computational cost, and ease of implementation. Potential candidates include domain decomposition and overset technology, as well as multiscale embedded schemes.