Effect of morphological changes on the hydrodynamics and flushing properties of the Óbidos lagoon (Portugal)

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of natural and artificial morphological changes in a tidal inlet on the tidal propagation and on the water exchanges with the sea, through data analysis and numerical modeling. Bathymetric and tidal data reveal a strong seasonal signal, as a result of the changes in the relative importance of tidal and wave action: during the maritime winter the M2 tidal amplitude decreases by 50% and flood dominance increases. This trend is reverted during maritime summer, and tidal amplitudes can be further enhanced by dredging of the inlet. Hydrodynamic and residence time (RT) simulations were set up for three different bathymetric configurations of the lower lagoon, representative of distinct situations. Hydrodynamic results confirmed that tidal propagation depends strongly on the bathymetric configuration. At the transitions between channels, tidal energy losses occur and flood dominance increases. Dredging the channels and repositioning the inlet throat improve tidal propagation and promote sediment flushing to the sea. The spatial variability of RTs was evaluated through the integration of individual particle results in morphologically relevant units, while time variability was examined within the tidal and neap/spring cycles. Residence times depend heavily on the morphological changes associated with both dredging operations and inlet migration, and on the particle release time, both within the tidal cycle and within neap/spring cycles. The relative importance of each of these factors depends on the particle location within the lagoon. The upstream regions of the lagoon have very large RTs (years), as a result of the small tidal amplitudes and velocities. In some of these regions, RTs vary by a factor of 4 depending on the bathymetry of the inlet. In the lower lagoon, tidal amplitude also has a significant effect on RTs. Dredging the channels and repositioning the inlet throat from the southern margin to a central position improves the flushing of both southern and northern channels.