Sensitivity Analysis of Wind and Wave Effects on Wetland-Sea Exchange Dynamics

This study investigates the effects of wind and wave forcing on the dynamics of wetland-sea exchange flow using numerical modeling by integrating the Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM), a three-dimensional, unstructured grid model, with the FVCOM-SWAVE to simulate wave-current interactions. A systematic sensitivity analysis of key drivers of the exchange flow is conducted using the developed model. The results indicate that wind speed variations greatly alter the exchange flow patterns. Wave-induced currents also contribute to these changes. Three forcing scenarios show a progressive increase in the flow from the lagoon to the sea and net outflow as wind intensity increases, with maximum velocities in Scenario ۳ exceeding ۱.۳ m/s. Vertical profiles illustrate a temporal shift in peak velocity from the surface layers to deeper depths due to the bottom-driven flow regimes. Despite increased discharge under strong forcing, vertical velocity gradients across the cross-section remained relatively minor, which suggests limited vertical mixing. These findings highlight the important role of wind and wave forcing in lagoon-sea connectivity and provide valuable insights for the adaptive management of transitional water bodies.

کلیدواژه ها:

FVCOM ، FVCOM-SWAVE ، Sensitivity Analysis ، Coastal Engineering ، Lagoon-Sea Interaction