A Model for Environmental Impact Assessment of Land Reclamation

Land reclamation is a complex marine environmental engineering and has a huge impact on social, economic, and physical environment. Reclamation environmental impact assessment (REIA) is also a complicated project, including the assessment of social economic background, ocean engineering, coastal geomorphology, sediment transportation, marine hydrodynamics and marine ecosystem and so on. Nowadays, a large number of land reclaimed projects have been carried out or in the process of construction along the coastal zone, thus, it is necessary to build up a framework on REIA to evaluate and quantify the environmental changes, to contribute to reclamation program, to reduce marine environmental disasters, and to sustain development of coastal zone. This article focuses on the research of REIA framework theory and puts forward a REIA model on land reclaimed evaluation, at the same time, applies this assessment system in Shenzhen City, which is a highly developed coastal city with an expectation of land reclamation. By use of the Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques, along with the topographic map and in situ survey in reclamation area, it concludes that the area of 2680 hectares in total has been reclaimed in Shenzhen city by the end of the year 2000. Thus, reclamation is usually applied to meet the needs for infrastructure, such as harbors, industries and highways in Shenzhen City. However, some serious negative impacts have been created to the coastal environment shown clearly in the following aspects. Firstly, it caused the dramatic changes of tidal flat and channels along the western coast, made this area more unstable, which is threatening the function of the harbor in this area. Secondly, Tidal prism has decreased rapidly. During the 20 years of reclamation, the tidal prism has been reduced by 20%～30% along the western coast in the Lingdingyang Estuary, and 15.6% in the Shenzhen Bay. As a result, the velocity of the tidal current has also declined, and the direction of the tidal current has changed, which is harmful to the dilution and diffusion process of the contaminants. Thirdly, it has threatened the eco-environment finally. More than 147 hectares of mangrove area along the coast of Shenzhen Bay, accounting for 48.8% of the total mangrove reserve area in this region, has been reclaimed only during the short period from 1988 to 2000. Thus, the biodiversity is decreasing, and more and more plants and animals are disappearing. Based on the above analyses of the environmental impacts, strategies and suggestions for the future reclamation in this area have been put forward in order to support the sustainable development of the coastal zone.     

Sediment Deposition and Resuspension in Mouth Bar Area of the Yangtze Estuary

—A comprehensive analysis is conducted based on observations on topography.tidal current.salinity.suspended sediment and bed load during the years of 1982.1983.1988.1989.1996 and 1997 in theYangtze Estuary.Results show that the deformation of tidal waves is distinct and the sand carrying capaci-ty is large within the mouth bar due to strong tidal currents and large volume of incoming water and sedi-ments.Owing to both temporal and spatial variation of tidal current.deposition and erosion are extremelyactive.In general a change of up to 0.1 m of bottom sediments takes place during a tidal period.The maxi-mum siltation and erosion are around 0.2 m in a spring to neap tides cycle.The riverbed is silted duringflood when there is heavy sediment load.eroded during dry season when sediment load is low.The annualaverage depth of crosion and siltation on the riverbed is around 0.6 m.In particular cases.it may increaseto 1.4 m to 2.4 m at some locations.     

Effects of the anthropogenic activities on the morphological evolution of the Modaomen Estuary,Pearl River Delta,China

Owing to the intensive human activities, the Modaomen Estuary has been significantly modified since 1950s, which has resulted in considerable changes of hydrodynamics and morphodynamics in the area. In this paper, the effects of the anthropogenic activities on the hydrodynamics and morphological evolution in the estuary at different stages are systematically assessed based on the detailed bathymetric data and field survey. The results show that the human activities have caused the channelization of the enclosed sea area in the Modamen Estuary;fast seaward movement of the mouth bar with high siltation;expansion of the channel volume due to channel deepening. The paper also highlights the main hydrodynamic changes in the estuary, including the rise of the water level;the distinguishing changes of tidal range before and after the 1990s （decrease and increase respectively）; as well as the increase of the divided flow ratio. It is found that reclamation is the main factor promoting the transition of nature of the estuary from runoff dominant to runoff and wave dominant, and sand mining activities are mainly to strengthen the tidal dynamic and to low the water level. The results provide useful guidance for better planning of the future developments in the estuary and further research in the area.     

Review on Tidal Energy Technologies and Research Subjects

Tidal current power is one of the promising and reliable renewable energies with the advantage of continuous and predictable resource. It can make stable electricity regardless of weather conditions or seasons all year around. The required technologies for tidal current power in the ocean have been developed for years and now recognized that it could be commercialized after intensive field tests and successful demonstrations. There are several tidal farm development projects in the world, such as the MeyGen project in UK with its commercialization at hand. However, various research subjects in the tidal current energy field are seeking improvements and industrialization of tidal current power in terms of economy and technical reliability. This paper introduces the resource assessment procedure of tidal energy that has been applied in Korea coastal regions. The key research subjects for tidal current power together with the interaction effect of multi-arrangement is described. Also, this paper is to introduce the research output of each subject such as turbine design, experimental validation, turbine interaction and wake, multi-array module, FSI (fluid-structure interaction), and duct application.     

Numerical Study of Oil Pollution on Sea Waters

This paper adopted an upstream FEM of 2-D unsteady flow to calculate the tidal flow in Zhoushan sea area. Based on the verification of the tidal current and environmental situation, the effects of the oily waste discharged from the oil berths on water quality have been calculated with a similar method. The isodilutions of oil pollutant are drawn from different sewage discharges. The moving loci of the slick centrepoint of oil spill have been calculated. The spreading area of the oil spill has also been forecasted. The results indicate that the set of models can predict the transport of oil spill in the sea area with reasonable accuracy.     

Prediction of Siltation in the Downstream Approach Channel of Tidal Locks

Silt deposition occurs in the downstream approach,channel of the tidal lock as in a closed channelor excavated dock basin.It is often difficult to calculate or predict siltation because of complex flow and sedi-ment conditions and many other affecting factors.In this paper,the characteristics of flow movement in theapproach channel(including its mouth)of the tidal lock are analyzed,the basic laws of sediment movementand siltation mechanism are investigated,the conditions for three types of siltation(circumfluence siltation,density flow siltation and slow flow siltation)are discussed,and corresponding calculating formulas are pro-posed.A practical example shows that the difference between measured and calculated results is small,indi-cating that the present calculating methods could be used in design and management of practical engineeringprojects.     

Study on Deposition in Semi-Closed Coastal or Estuarine Harbour Basins

A preliminary study on the distribution of sediment transport and siltation within a semi-closed harbour as well as the factors affecting the siltation has been made with a suspended sediment model, in which the Lianyungang port is used as the prototype. Based on the work, this paper describes a tubid water experiment within a typical excavated harbour basin. According to the experimental results some expressions for predicting the average siltation amount for semi-closed harbour basins by means of dimensional analysis have been proposed, with tidal features, harbour geometry and properties of sediment taken into account. Through comparing the calculated results with the laboratory and field measured data, it has been shown that the expressions presented in this paper are reasonable.     

The study on three-dimensional numerical model and fronts of the Jiulong Estuary and the Xiamen Bay

Applying the methods of on-site observation and dynamic model, the research on the fronts at the Jiulong Estuary has been carried out, during which spatial and temporal distribution, dynamic characteristics and formation mechanism of salinity fronts are analyzed and discussed. The research shows that the estuarine fronts mainly lie in the area from the Jiyu Islet to the Haimen Island, outside of Yuweizai to Hulishan cross-section, the near coast of Yuweizai and the south of the Songyu-Gulangyu Channel. The fronts in the former two regions are formed directly by plume, while the one near the coast of Yuweizai is a tidal intrusion front caused by flood current and the one at the south of the Songyu-Gulangyu Channel is the result of current shear transformation. Under normal circumstances, fresh water of the Jiulong River mainly influences the inside of the Xiamen Bay, and when it is in typhoon seasons, plume front can affect the Taiwan Strait and has an effect on the biogeochemical processes in the strait.     

Numerical simulation of fluctuation and undulation of the thermo-cline under tide (tidal current) action in the Bohai Sea

Besides seasonal variation, instantaneous variation of thermal layer will occur under the effects of tide, tidal current and wind disturbance. In this study the numerical simulation has been first carried out on fluctuation and undulation of thermal layer under influence of tide (simultaneous input of 8 tidal components). The study reveals the geographic distribution of thermal layer fluctuation in the entire study region and temporal and spatial variations of the undulation in tidal period superposing on the fluctuation. Especially, the wave with large amplitude simulated is consistent with observation in the channal and the sea areas with a convex coastline and complex variation of depth, internal relations of tide, tidal current, residual current as well as the factors such as geography, and the fluctuation of thermal layer is induced by residual current due to unsymmetry which occurs as a result of the tidal movement in lower layer influenced by friction and geography, meanwhile, analysis indicates     

Physical Modeling of Localized Scour for the Yangtze Estuary Waterway Improvement Project,Phase Ⅰ

In order to examine the effectiveness of engineering protection against localized scour in frontof the south groin-group of the Yangtze Estuary Waterway Improvement Project,Phase I,an undistort-ed physical model on a geometric scale of 1:250 is built in this study,covering two groins and their adacentestuarine areas.By use of rinsing fix-bed model as well as localized mobile-bed model,the experiment isundertaken under bi-directional steady flow.According to the experimental results,waterway dredgingleads to the increase in steram velocity,the increase being larger during the ebb than during the flood.Con-struction of the upstream groin has some influence on the flow patterns near the downstream groin.Local-ized scour in front of the groin-heads is controlled mainly by ebb flow.In the case of a riverbed composedentirely of silt,the depths of localized scour in front of the two groin-heads are 27 m and 29 m,respectively.In reality,the underneath sediment of the prototype riverbed is clay whose threshold ve     

The rule of sediment transport on the Nanhui tidal flat in the Changjiang Estuary

The Nanhui tidal flat is located in the area of slow current where the ebb currents from the Changjiang Estuaryand the Hangzhou Bay converge and the flood current from the sea diverges into the estuary and the bay. The flat extends seaward in tongue shape and has a wide and gentle surface with a marked difference of tidal levels on its two sides, which results in the sediment longitudinal transport on the flat. The water-sediment conditions are diverse at different locations. The velocity and sediment concentration in intertidal zone are higher during the flood tide than those during the ebb tide. The net sediment transport is landward, resulting in a large amount of deposition of sediments on the shoal. However, the ebb current is the dominant one in deep-water area where the net sediment transport is seaward. There exist two circulation systems in plane view on the shoal and in its adjacent deep-water area, which results in the sediment exchanges between the flat and channel and between the estuary an     

Effect of Development of Caofeidian Harbor Area in Bohai Bay on Hydrodynamic Sediment Environment

Based on the characteristics of waves, tidal currents, sediment and seabed evolution in the Caofeidian sea area in the Bohai Bay, a 2D sediment mathematical model of waves and tidal currents is employed to study the development schemes of the harbor. Verification of spring and neap tidal currents and sediment in the winter and summer of 2006 shows that the calculated values of tidal stages as well as flow velocities, flow directions and sediment concentration of 15 synchronous vertical lines are in good agreement with the measured data. Also, deposition and erosion of the sea area in front of Caofeidian ore terminal induced by suspended load under tidal currents and waves are verified; it shows that the calculated values of depth of deposition and erosion as well as their distribution are close to the measured data. Furthermore, effects of reclamation scheme of island in front of the land behind Caofeidian harbor on the hydrodynamic environment are studied, including changes of flow velocities in the deep channels at the south side of Caofeidian foreland and Laolonggou and in various harbor basins, as well as changes of deposition and erosion of seabed induced by the project.     

Change of Back Siltation in Lianyungang Harbor before and after Completion of the West Breakwater

—On the basis of a comparison of the field hydrological,sediment and topographic data observedbefore and after the completion of the West Breakwater in Lianyungang Harbor,which has led to the changeof topography from a strait to a bay,a synthetical analysis is conducted on the change of back siltation.Theresults show that it is the change of coast line and the consequent change of hydrological condition and sedi-ment movement that has led to the change of back siltation in the harbor.This phenomenon is caused by thelag effects of water current,sediment movement and local adjustment of topography after the construction,and it tends to be stable.The results of analysis provide not only a basis for extension of Lianyungang Harborinto a deep water harbor,but also propose a case for the study of the change of back siltation in a harbor onmuddy coast.     

A siltation simulation and desiltation measurement study downstream of the Suzhou Creek Sluice,China

The Suzhou Creek Sluice is currently the largest underwater plain gate in the world, with a single span of 100 m. It is located in a tidal estuary at the junction of the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek in Shanghai, China. In this study, physical and 2D vertical mathematical models were used to investigate and distinguish the mechanism of siltation downstream of an underwater plain gate from that of other gates types. According to quantitative data obtained by site investigation and the application of the physical hydrodynamic models, it was found that the characteristics of the tidal estuary as well as the fact that the sluice span is equal to the creek width are the major reasons contributing to siltation. A possible desiltation treatment system is proposed for the underwater plain gate. The system includes selection of a suitable location that allows the determination of a reasonable top elevation of the sluice floor, reserving sufficient space under the gate to accommodate siltation, setting up a mechanical desiltation system, and flushing silt along with overflow over the top of the gate. Furthermore, on-site hydraulic silt flushing experiments and a topography survey were conducted. These results showed that the measurement system is effective, and by maintaining this scheduled operation once a month, the downstream riverbed has been maintained in a good condition.     

A Study of Eddy Viscosity Coefficient in Numerical Tidal Simulation

Based on the fluid motion equations, the physical meaning of eddy viscosity coefficient and the rationality of the Boussinesq hypothesis are discussed in this paper. The effect of the coefficient on numerical stability is analyzed briefly. A semi-enclosed rectangular sea area, with an orthogonal spur dike, is applied in a 2-D numerical model to study the effect of horizontal eddy viscosity coefficient (AH). The computed result shows that AH has little influence on the tidal level and averaged flow velocity, but has obvious influence on the intensity and the range of return flow around near the spur dike. Correspondingly, a wind-driven current pool and an annular current are applied in a 3-D numerical model respectively to study the effect of vertical eddy viscosity coefficient (Av). The computed result shows that the absolute value of Av is inversely proportional to that of horizontal velocity, and the vertical gradient value of Av determines the vertical distribution of horizontal velocity. The distrib     

In-Situ Observation of Fluid Mud in the North Passage of Yangtze Estuary, China

Observations of fluid mud were made in the lower North Passage of the Yangtze Estuary in February 2000, on 10 -11 August 2000, on 30 - 31 August 2000 (after two strong typhoons), on 21 - 24 August 2000 (neap tide) and on 3 -6 September 2000 (mean tide) respectively. In situ data show that the fluid mud in this area consists of fine cohesive sediment (median size 7.23 μm). The formation and movement of fluid mud varied during the neap-spring and flood-ebb tidal cycle. Observations suggest that fluid mud phenomena in this area may be categorised in a three-fold manner as slack water, storm and saltwedge features. The thickness of the fluid mud layer of slack water during the neap tide ranged from 0.2 to 0.96 m, whereas during the mean tide, the thickness ranged from 0.17 to 0.73 m, and the thickness of the fluid mud layer was larger during slack water than at the flood peak. Shoals cover an area of 800 km^2 with a water depth smaller than 5 m. Erosion of these extensive intertidal mudflats due to storm action provides an abundant sediment source. This is particularly significant in this estuary when the tidal level is lower than 5 m. The lower North Passage is a typical zone of saltwater wedging, so the saltwedge fluid mud has the most extensive spatial range in the estuary.     

Dynamic visual simulation of marine vector field based on LIC——a case study of surface wave field in typhoon condition

Line integral convolution(LIC)is a useful visualization technique for a vector field.However,the output image produced by LIC has many problems in a marine vector field.We focus on the visual quality improvement when LIC is applied in the ocean steady and unsteady flow field in the following aspects.When a white noise is used as the input in a steady flow field,interpolation is used to turn the discrete white noise into continuous white noise to solve the problem of discontinuity.The"cross"high-pass filtering is used to enhance the textures of streamlines to be more concentrated and continuity strengthened for each streamline.When a sparse noise is used as the input in a steady flow field,we change the directions of background sparse noise according to the directions of vector field to make the streamlines clearer and brighter.In addition,we provide a random initial phase for every streamline to avoid the pulsation effect during animation.The velocities of vector field are encoded in the speed of the same length streamlines so that the running speed of streamlines can express flow rate.Meanwhile,to solve the problem of obvious boundaries when stitching image,we change the streamline tracking constraints.When a white noise is used as an input in an unsteady flow field,double value scattering is used to enhance the contrast of streamlines;moreover,the"cross"high-pass filtering is also adopt instead of two-dimensional high-pass filtering.Finally,we apply the above methods to a case of the surface wave field in typhoon condition.Our experimental results show that applying the methods can generate high-quality wave images and animations.Therefore,it is helpful to understand and study waves in typhoon condition to avoid the potential harm of the waves to people's lives and property.     

COMPUTATION OF SEDIMENT CONCENTRATION IN THE QIANTANG ESTUARY WITH CONSIDERATION OF SEDIMENT TRANSPORT IN TIDAL FLAT

There exists a wide tidal flat in the Qiantang Estuary. In this article the sediment concentrations in the mainstream and on the tidal flat are computed separately, taking into account the transverse exchange of sediment between them. The basic equation is similar to that used in Reference [2], but the ratio of the bottom sediment concentration to the vertical average is not taken as the same to the ratio of sediment transport capacity. The ratio of sediment concentration can be determined by the computational results of a simple model and checked by the field data. The formula of the sediment transport capacity for tidal flow can be obtained by statistical analysis directly using the measured values of sediment concentration.The verification of sediment concentration has been carried out with two sections both in the mainstream and on the tidal flat during twelve successive tidal cycles. The average discrepancy between the calculated and the measured is less than 20%.     

The reverse sediment transport trend between abandoned Huanghe River (Yellow River) Delta and radial sand ridges along Jiangsu coastline of China-an evidence from grain size analysis

To reveal the sediment transporting mechanism between the abandoned Huanghe River(Yellow River) Delta and radial sand ridges,"End Member" Model and grain size trend analysis have been employed to separate the "dynamic populations" in the surficial sediment particle spectra and to determine the possible sediment transporting pathway.The results reveal four "dynamic subpopulations"(EM1 to EM4) and two reverse sediment transporting directions:a northward transport tend from the radial sand ridges to mud patch,and a southward transport trend in deep water area outside the mud patch.Combined with the published hydrodynamic information,the transporting mechanism of dynamic populations has been discussed,and the main conclusion is that the transporting of finer subpopulations EM1 and EM2 is controlled by the "anticlockwise residual current circulation" forming during tidal cycle,which favor a northward transporting trend and the forming of mud patch on the north of radial sand ridges,while the transporting of coarser EM3 is mainly controlled by wind driven drift in winter,which favors a southward transporting direction.     

Suspended sediment transport of the Hangzhou Bay and its related hydrodynamic analyses

The 25-h measurements of current speed, flow direction, water depth, suspended sediment concentration and salinity were carried out at six anchored stations in the study area during spring and neap tides in winter of 1987 and summer of 1989. Caculations and analyses of the data obtained show that large amounts of suspended sediments are moved back and forth under the action of tidal current, and the net transport of sediment is small, with its predominance upstream in winter and downstream in summer. These calculations and analyses also suggest that the advective transport of sediment is dominant, while the vertical gravitational circulation of the suspended sediment comes next. Meantime, it is indicated that tidal currents play a major role in the suspended sediment transport, and residual flows have effect on the net transport of the suspended sediment, which is more remarkable during neap tide than during spring tide.