Tidal and river discharge forcing upon water and sediment circulation at a rock-bound estuary (Guadiana estuary,Portugal)

The relative impacts of tidal (neap, spring) and river discharge (including a flood event) forcing upon water and sediment circulation have been examined at the rock-bound Guadiana estuary. Near-bed and vertical profiles of current, salinity, turbidity, plus surface suspended sediment concentrations (SSC, at some stations only), were collected at the lower and central/upper estuary during tidal and fortnightly cycles. In addition, vertical salinity and turbidity profiles were collected around high and low water along the estuary. Tidal asymmetry produced faster currents on the ebb than on the flood, especially at the mouth. This pattern of seaward current dominance was enhanced with increasing river flow, due to horizontal advection that was confined within the narrow estuarine channel. The freshwater inputs and, at a degree less, the tidal range controlled the vertical mixing and stratification importance. Well-mixed (spring) and partially stratified (neap) conditions alternated during periods of low river flows, with significant intratidal variations induced by tidal straining (especially at the partially stratified estuary). Highly stratified conditions developed with increasing river discharge. Intratidal variability in the pycnocline depth and thickness resulted from current shear during the ebb. A salt wedge with tidal motion was observed at the lower estuary during the flood event. Depending on the intensity of turbulent mixing, the residual water circulation was dominantly controlled either by tidal asymmetry or gravitational circulation. The SSC was governed by cyclical local processes (resuspension, deposition, mixing, advection) driven by the neap-spring fluctuations in tidal current velocities. More, intratidal variability in stratification indicated the significance of tidal pumping at the partially and highly stratified estuary. The estuary turbidity maximum (ETM) was enhanced with increasing current velocities, and displaced downstream during periods of high river discharge. During the flood event, the ETM was expelled out of the estuary, and the SSC along the estuary was controlled by the sediment load from the drainage basin. Under these highly variable river flow conditions, our observations suggest that sand is exported to the nearshore over the long-term (>years).     

Salt-wedge propagation in a Mediterranean micro-tidal river mouth

The dynamics of a seasonally formed salt-wedge propagating along the micro-tidal channel of Strymon River estuary, Northern Greece, and its consequences on river water quality, are thoroughly studied through intensive sampling campaigns. The wedge is developed at the downstream river part, under the summer limited freshwater discharge conditions (Q < 30 m³/s). The geometric features of the wedge (length and thickness) appeared directly related to Strymon River discharge. A maximum intrusion length of 4.7 km along Strymon River estuary was observed under minimum river discharge of almost 6 m³/s. Relations produced from in situ data illustrate that limited river flow expands the wedge horizontally, reducing its vertical dimension, while higher flows lead to increased wedge thickness. Estuarine flushing time ranges between 0.2 and 1.5 days, exponentially dependent on Strymon River discharge. Wedge velocities depicted tidal asymmetry between tidal phases, with consistent inward motion, even under the ebb tidal stage. Strong vertical stratification prevails throughout the tidal cycle, proving the limited vertical mixing between the two layers, although higher interfacial stresses are produced in ebb. Bottom topography plays an interesting role in wedge propagation, as the presence of an underwater sill either prevents saline intrusion during flood or isolates the front of the wedge from its core at the ebb. Ecological consequences of salt-wedge propagation in Strymon River estuary are the frequent evidence of bottom hypoxic conditions and the increased TSS levels, leading to the occurrence of a turbidity maximum at the tip of the salt-wedge. Higher BOD and ammonium levels were mostly observed at the river end, associated to point and non-point pollution sources. Nitrates and silicates were found associated with freshwater fluxes, while ammonia levels were related to saline intrusions. The reduced phosphorus freshwater fluxes, resulting from phosphorus uptake at the upstream reservoir (Kerkini Lake) and the increased bottom turbidity induced by the salt-wedge seem responsible for the limited chlorophyll-a levels along Strymon River estuary.     

A three-dimensional numerical study of river plume mixing processes in Otsuchi Bay,Japan

The three-dimensional numerical model SUNTANS is applied to investigate river plume mixing in Otsuchi Bay, an estuary located along the Sanriku Coast of Iwate, Japan. Results from numerical simulations with different idealized forcing scenarios (barotropic tide, baroclinic tide, and diurnal wind) are compared with field observations to diagnose dominant mixing mechanisms. Under the influence of combined barotropic, baroclinic and wind forcing, the model reproduces observed salinity profiles well and achieves a skill score of 0.94. In addition, the model forced by baroclinic internal tides reproduces observed cold-water intrusions in the bay, and barotropic tidal forcing reproduces observed salt wedge dynamics near the river mouths. Near these river mouths, vertically sheared flows are generated due to the interaction of river discharge and tidal elevations. River plume mixing is quantified using vertical salt flux and reveals that mixing near the vicinity of the river mouth, is primarily generated by the barotropic tidal forcing. A 10 ms^?1 strong diurnal breeze compared to a 5 ms^?1 weak breeze generates higher mixing in the bay. In contrast to the barotropic forcing, internal tidal (baroclinic) effects are the dominant mixing mechanisms away from the river mouths, particularly in the middle of the bay, where a narrow channel strengthens the flow speed. The mixing structure is horizontally asymmetric, with the middle and northern parts exhibiting stronger mixing than the southern part of the bay. This study identifies several mixing hot-spots within the bay and is of great importance for the coastal aquaculture system.     

泉州湾水体结构的潮周期变化

泉州湾6个站点的观测数据显示：内湾涨潮流历时由底层向表层逐渐变短,而落潮流历时则逐渐变长;同时,各个站点实测的盐度水深结构也具有明显的潮周期变化特征,这可能与局地水体的层化和混合机制的交替变化密切相关．进一步定量分析S2站位上影响水体结构变化的四种机制发现：外湾的河口环流作用与潮汐张力、风混合以及潮汐混合作用相比要小一个量级．在一般天气条件下的大潮周期,潮汐混合与潮汐张力相互竞争是导致水体结构交替变化的根本原因;小潮周期由于潮流混合作用减弱,水体层化现象得以持续较长时间,风的搅动在特定时刻可以起到削弱层化结构的作用．     

瓯江河口盐度层化数值研究

瓯江口是一个径流量变化剧烈的强潮河口。本文基于非结构网格FVCOM模型,建立瓯江口海域大范围三维数学模型,研究不同时间尺度（潮周期、大-小潮）的盐度变化,并利用势能异常动力方程对数值模拟结果分析了瓯江口层化过程的动力机制。同时,利用河口R_i数和层化参数△s/<s>研究了不同时间尺度的层化稳定性及其空间变化,得出决定层化状态的潮差和径流量的阈值。结果显示：瓯江北口上段、中段和口门在潮差分别超过3.8m、4.0m和4.6m时呈完全混合状态。当径流量小于280 m³/s或大于510 m³/s,北口上段持续完全混合;而在口门附近,完全混合和层化的临界径流量约为280 m³/s。研究认为瓯江河口北口存在周期性的层化,北口下段在落潮和涨潮初期呈部分混合状态,而其它时段为完全混合。上段只在落潮初期存在层化。层化增强主要是纵向对流与横向速度剪切导致,而湍混合和纵向潮应力是层化减弱的主要因素。     

Asymmetric tidal straining across an inlet: Lateral inversion and variability over a tidal cycle

Tidal straining is a phenomenon of temporal variations in stratification and mixing resulting from the interaction of a longitudinal salinity gradient with the vertical shear of the horizontal tidal velocity. As a result, the theory predicts stronger and weaker stratification during ebb/low tide and flood/high tide, respectively. In contrast to this well-known temporal asymmetry, in this study, we document in situ measurements demonstrating a lateral asymmetry and lateral inversion of tidal straining at Barataria Pass, a narrow (∼600 m wide) tidal inlet of Barataria Bay in southeastern Louisiana. During flood, the eastern side of the channel had strong stratification of 4 PSU salinity change over a 1.5 m thin layer while the western side had a 2 PSU change over a 12 m water column. This strong lateral difference decreased as flood continued until near the end of the flood when it reached vertically well-mixed condition across the channel. During ebb it was just the opposite such that the western side became stratified while the eastern end was well-mixed. This resulted to a small correlation coefficient of −0.05 for stratification between the west and east sides, although the central channel and east side have a high correlation coefficient of 0.88. The tidally averaged salinity was higher on the western end than the eastern end except in a narrow boundary layer close to the eastern shore. This is an apparent contradiction to what the Coriolis effect would produce in classical estuarine dynamics. Our hypothesis for the observed difference arises from the influence of the river water coming out of the Mississippi River through the Southwest Pass of the Birdfoot Delta. This water mass may have played a role in the observed, complicated lateral inversion of the tidal straining. This study underlines the complexity of estuarine dynamics proximal to large deltaic systems and we anticipate that these results will underscore the need for a modeling study to further investigate this dynamic process.     

Classification of highly turbid Jiaojiang Estuary

ThisstudywassupportedbytheNationalNaturalScienceFoundationofChinaundercontractNo.49276274,theZhejiangProvinceNaturalScienceFoundationundercontractNo.490013,theChina-Australiabilateralscienceandtechnologyprogram,theAustralianInstituteofMarineScience,theModellingLaboratoryoftheMarineScienceintheSecondInstituteofOceanographyoftheStateOceanicAdministration.INTRODUCTIONTheJiaojiangEstuaryis1ocatedintheeasterncoastofChina,2OokmfromthesouthoftheChangjiangRiver(YangtzeRiver),linkedin…     

Modeling residual circulation and stratification in Oujiang River estuary

A 3D,time-dependent,baroclinic,hydrodynamic and salinity model was implemented and applied to the Oujiang River estuarine system in the East China Sea.The model was driven by the forcing of tidal elevations along the open boundaries and freshwater inflows from the Oujiang River.The bottom friction coefficient and vertical eddy viscosity were adjusted to complete model calibration and verification in simulations.It is demonstrated that the model is capable of reproducing observed temporal variability in the water surface elevation and longitudinal velocity,presenting skill coefficient higher than 0.82.This model was then used to investigate the influence of freshwater discharge on residual current and salinity intrusion under different freshwater inflow conditions in the Oujiang River estuary.The model results reveal that the river channel presents a two-layer structure with flood currents near the bottom and ebb currents at the top layer in the region of seawater influenced on north shore under high river flow condition.The river discharge is a major factor affecting the salinity stratification in the estuarine system.The water exchange is mainly driven by the tidal forcing at the estuary mouth,except under high river flow conditions when the freshwater extends its influence from the river’s head to its mouth.     

Elucidating the dynamics and mixing agents of a shallow fjord through age tracer modelling

The mixing agents and their role in the dynamics of a shallow fjord are elucidated through an Eulerian implementation of artificial tracers in a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model. The time scales of vertical mixing in this shallow estuary are short, and the artificial tracers are utilized in order to reveal information not detectable in the temperature or salinity fields. The fjord's response to external forcing is investigated through a series of model experiments in which we quantify vertical mixing, transport time scales of fresh water runoff and estuarine circulation in relation to external forcing.Using age tracers released at surface and bottom, we quantify the time scales of downward mixing of surface water and upward mixing of bottom water. Wind is shown to be the major agent for vertical mixing at nearly all depth levels in the fjord, whereas the tide or external sea level forcing is a minor agent and only occasionally more important just close to the bottom. The time scale of vertical mixing of surface water to the bottom or ventilation time scale of bottom water is estimated to be in the range 0.7 h to 9.0 days, with an average age of 2.7 days for the year 2004.The fjord receives fresh water from two streams entering the innermost part of the fjord, and the distribution and age of this water are studied using both ageing and conservative tracers. The salinity variations outside this fjord are large, and in contrast to the salinity, the artificial tracers provide a straight forward analysis of river water content. The ageing tracer is used to estimate transport time scales of river water (i.e. the time elapsed since the water left the river mouth). In May 2004, the typical age of river water leaving the fjord mouth is 5 days. As the major vertical mixing agent is wind, it controls the estuarine circulation and export of river water. When the wind stress is set to zero, the vertical mixing is reduced and the vertical salinity stratification is increased, and the river water can be effectively exported out of the fjord.We also analyse the river tracer fields and salinity field in relation to along estuary winds in order to detect signs of wind-induced straining of the along estuary density gradient. We find that events of down estuary winds are primarily associated with a reduced along estuary salinity gradient due to increased surface salinity in the innermost part of the fjord, and with an overall decrease in vertical stratification and river water content at the surface. Thus, our results show no apparent signs of wind-induced straining in this shallow fjord but instead they indicate increased levels of vertical mixing or upwelling during down estuary wind events.     

潮汐河口环流、湍流、混合与层化的物理学

简要回顾了潮汐河口环流、湍流、混合与层化的基本物理概念、内涵、研究方法、研究成果,指出了主要的研究进展,最后,展望了今后的研究方向。本文不考虑悬沙和风浪的影响。经典的河口环流也因潮汐应变的出现而受到挑战,河口环流由重力环流和潮汐应变环流构成。"涡黏度-剪切协方差(ESCO)"概念的提出,又区分出重力ESCO环流与潮汐ESCO环流。横向环流,尤其具有曲率的弯道中的横向环流,也得到进一步的理解。涡度方法的应用,揭示横向环流不仅由各种不同物理机制造成,而且对纵向河口重力环流有重要的影响。分层流中剪切湍流的理论加深了人们对潮汐河口湍流、混合的物理学的认识,势能差异方程更是使得定量理解潮汐河口混合与层化的三维时间、空间变化成为可能。     

On salinity regimes and the vertical structure of residual flows in narrow tidal estuaries

An examination is made of the circulation in narrow estuaries subject to a predominant tidal forcing. Velocity structures are derived separately for residual flow components associated with (a) river flow, (b) wind stress, (c) a well-mixed longitudinal density gradient and (d) a fully stratified saline wedge. Dimensionless parameters are introduced to indicate the magnitude of each component and these parameters are evaluated for 9 major estuaries, thereby revealing their sensitivity to each component.For a channel of constant breadth and depth, formulae are deduced for the length of saline intrusion, L. Comparisons with observed data show that such formulae may be used with confidence to predict changes in L arising from variations in river flow, tidal range or channel depths.The level of stratification is shown to be related to a product of two parameters, one associated with velocity structure and a second involving the square of the ‘flow ratio’ $\text{u}\text{u}\text{?}$ (i.e. residual velocity/amplitude of the tidal velocity). This relationship provides a simple classification system for estuarine stratification which can be used to indicate the sensitivity of any particular estuary to changing conditions.     

Dynamics of estuarine residual circulation in a narrow channel including tidal-nonlinear effects

Numerical modeling of a semienclosed narrow channel demonstrates the dynamical dependency of an estuarine residual circulation (ERC) on tidal amplitudes. The ERC is defined by tidally-averaged current field. The tidally-averaged fields show that the ERC-strength variation is classified into highly stratified, partially stratified and weakly stratified ranges, respectively. The ERC becomes weaker as the tidal amplitude (and hence vertical mixing) increases in the highly and weakly stratified ranges. However, the ERC becomes stronger oppositely in the partially stratified range. The nonlinear forces induced by tides significantly affect the ERC as well as the pressure gradient force due to the freshwater flux and the vertical stress divergence (vertical eddy viscous force). In particular, the tidal stress and tidally-oscillating component of vertical stress divergence are quite important in ERC dynamics. The latter causes the enhancement of ERC in proportion to the vertical mixing in the partially stratified range.     

椒江河口高混浊水混合过程分析

根据１９９１年洪季的实测资料分析了高度浑浊的椒江河口的混合过程,并探讨了水动力学和沉积动力学因素对河口混合的重要作用,调查研究表明,椒江河口最大浑浊带下的高浑浊水－浮泥层厚达１ｍ,高浑浊水－浮泥层与上覆水之间是泥跃层,泥跃层与高混浊水－浮泥层对水体稳定的作用比同期观测到的盐跃层大１７倍以上,当高浑浊水－浮泥层被侵蚀时,在高浑浊水－浮泥层中的低盐水体又增加了水体的垂向混合能力。     

象山港内湾潮汐应变对横向流及其余环流垂向空间结构的调控研究

横向流 (垂直于海湾主轴方向的流动) 对横向动量以及物质分布具有重要影响。已往研究表明,潮汐应变对横向流的垂向空间结构具有重要的调控作用。但这种认识仅局限于强层化海区,弱层化条件下潮汐应变对于横向流空间结构的影响仍未可知。为此,本文以象山港为例,基于实测数据阐释了弱层化条件下潮汐应变对横向流及其余环流垂向空间结构的调控作用。结果显示,象山港内湾横向流的垂向空间结构随大小潮呈现出明显的变化规律。大潮时,潮汐应变现象明显,涨潮时较强的垂向混合使得横向流在高潮阶段呈现出一层结构;落潮时垂向混合较弱,横向流在低潮时呈现两层结构。小潮时,潮汐应变受到抑制,垂向混合在涨落潮时均较弱,因此横向流在高低潮阶段均呈现出两层结构。经过潮时均进一步得到的横向余环流呈现出上层向南、下层向北的两层结构。由于潮汐应变的大小潮变化,横向余环流的反转深度反转点自大潮到小潮呈现出上升的趋势。     

Numerical modeling of hyperpycnal flows in an idealized river mouth

Numerical experiments in an idealized river mouth are conducted using a three-dimensional hydrodynamics model (EFDC model) to examine the impacts of suspended sediment concentration (SSC), settling velocity of sediment and tidal mixing on the formation and maintenance of estuarine hyperpycnal flows. The standard experiment presents an illustrative view of hyperpycnal flows that carry high-concentrated sediment and low-salinity water in the bottom layer (>1.0 m in thickness) along the subaqueous slope. The structure and intra-tidal variation of the simulated hyperpycnal flows are quite similar to those previously observed off the Huanghe (Yellow River) mouth. Results from the three control experiments show that SSC of river effluents is the most important parameter to the formation of hyperpycnal flows. High SSC will increase the bulk density of river effluents and thus offset the density difference between freshwater and seawater. Low SSC of river effluents will produce a surface river plume, as commonly observed in most large estuaries. Both the settling velocity of sediment particles and the tidal mixing play an important role in maintaining the hyperpycnal flows. Increasing settling velocity enhances the deposition of sediment from the hyperpycnal layer and thus accelerates the attenuation of hyperpycnal flows, whereas increasing tidal mixing destroys the stratification of water column and therefore makes the hyperpycnal flows less evident. Our results from numerical experiments are of importance to understand the initiation and maintenance of hyperpycnal flows in estuaries and provide a reference to the rapidly decaying hyperpycnal flows off the Huanghe river mouth due to climatic and anthropogenic forcing over the past several decades.     

Turbulent mixing in a stratified estuarine tidal channel: Hikapu Reach,Pelorus Sound,New Zealand

Channel constrictions within an estuary can influence overall estuary-sea exchange of salt or suspended/dissolved material. The exchange is modulated by turbulent mixing through its effect on density stratification. Here we quantify turbulent mixing in Hikapu Reach, an estuarine channel in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. The focus is on a period of relatively low freshwater input but where density stratification still persists throughout the tidal cycle, although the strength of stratification and its vertical structure vary substantially. The density stratification increases through the ebb tide, and decreases through the flood tide. During the spring tides observed here, ebb tidal flow speeds reached 0.7?m?s^?1 and the buoyancy frequency squared was in the range 10^?5 to 10^?3?s^?2. Turbulence parameters were estimated using both shear microstructure and velocimeter-derived inertial dissipation which compared favourably. The rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy reached 1?×?10^?6?m²?s^?3 late in the ebb tide, and estimates of the gradient Richardson number (the ratio of stability to shear) fell as low as 0.1 (i.e. unstable) although the results show that bottom-boundary driven turbulence can dominate for periods. The implication, based on scaling, is that the mixing within the channel does not homogenise the water column within a tidal cycle. Scaling, developed to characterise the tidal advection relative to the channel length, shows how riverine-driven buoyancy fluxes can pass through the tidal channel section and the stratification can remain partially intact.     

Investigation of saltwater intrusion and salinity stratification in winter of 2007/2008 in the Zhujiang River Estuary in China

Saltwater intrusion is a serious environmental problem in the Zhujiang River Estuary(ZRE),which threatens the water supply of fifteen million people.The hydrological observations as well as meteorological and tidal forcing in the winter of 2007/2008 were analyzed to examine the saltwater intrusion in the ZRE.The observational results suggest that the maximum vertical difference of salinity can reach 10 in the Humen Channel during neap tide,but is very small in the Hengmen Channel.The vertically averaged salinity from time series stations during spring tide is higher than that during neap tide.A three-dimensional finite difference model was developed based on the environmental fluid dynamic code(EFDC) to study the mechanism of saltwater intrusion and salinity stratification in the ZRE.By analyzing the salt transport and the temporal variation of saltwater intrusion,the authors found that the net salt transport due to the estuarine circulation during neap tide was more than that during spring tide.This caused salt to advance more into the estuary during neap tide.However,saltwater intrusion was stronger during spring tide than that during neap tide because the spring-neap variation in salt transport was small relative to the total length of the saltwater intrusion.The physical mechanism causing this saltwater intrusion was investigated by a series of sensitivity experiments,in order to examine saltwater intrusion in response to river discharge and winds.The freshwater source was a dominant influencing factor to the saltwater intrusion and controlled salinity structure,vertical stratification and length of the saltwater intrusion.The prevailing northeast monsoon during winter could increase the saltwater intrusion in the ZRE.Though the southwest wind was unfavorable to saltwater intrusion during spring tide,it could increase stratification and saltwater intrusion during neap tide.     

河控型河口盐度层化对悬沙的捕集机制

河控型河口盐度混合和层化是控制悬沙输移扩散的重要动力机制。以珠江磨刀门河口为研究对象,基于2017年洪季三船同步大、小潮水文泥沙观测数据,分析河控型河口水体盐度层化结构的时空变化对悬沙分布的影响机制。结果表明:受径潮动力耦合时空变化影响,河口盐度垂向分布表现出时空差异,即受径流主导的M1站(挂锭角),河口盐度在涨落潮周期内垂向混合均匀,受径潮控制的M2站(口门)在整个潮周期内盐度层化结构明显,口门外侧的M3站,潮动力作用较强,盐度垂向分布随涨落潮变化而变化;悬沙空间分布与盐度分布关系密切,盐度混合均匀利于悬沙垂向均匀分布,而盐度层化则使悬沙倾向于滞留在底层水体中,且在盐度层结界面之下出现高悬沙浓度,悬沙浓度垂向分布曲线呈L字型或抛线型,纵向上表现为高浓度悬沙团抑制在盐水楔前端,盐度层化对悬沙的捕集效应明显。通过对比水体标准化分层系数与水流垂向扩散强度系数发现,两者呈现负相关关系,即标准化分层系数愈大,垂向扩散强度愈小,表明水体层化抑制悬沙垂向扩散强度,而且水体层化程度越高,悬沙垂向扩散抑制程度越大,进而促进了河口水体盐度层化对悬沙捕集作用。本研究有助于揭示河口细颗粒泥沙运动机制及河口拦门沙演变机制,并为磨刀门河口拦门沙治理提供科学依据。     

Estuarine salt conservation: a Lagrangian approach

Understanding tidal and mean flow transport mechanisms that maintain the estuarine salt balance against seaward transport by river flow is one of the fundamental questions of estuarine oceanography. Previous salt transport studies have failed to resolve this problem for two principal methodological reasons, in addition to the inherent variability of estuaries. First, salt transport expansions used to represent the salt balance have included a large number of terms that could not be related to any theory of estuarine circulation and whose physical meaning was thus unclear. Second, it has proven difficult to measure small mean velocities in the presence of much larger tidal variations. A new analysis method that expresses Lagrangian scalar property transport in terms of time and space variations of Eulerian variables is much simpler than expansions previously used and yields new insights into estuarine transport processes. This approach (like previous expansions) is valid for narrow systems in which cross-channel transport processes are weak and the ratio of tidal amplitude to mean depth is small. A surface boundary condition is used to eliminate one class of troublesome terms. The equivalence of the tidal-cycle average transport of tidal variations in salinity and the Stokes transport of mean salinity is then employed to show that the vertically integrated tidal flow plays no role in the overall salt balance. That is, seaward transport of salt caused by the river flow can only be balanced by landward transport resulting from correlations between shear and stratification in the mean, tidal and overtide flows. In a hypothetical inviscid estuary, tide and overtide flows would be vertically uniform, and outward fluvial salt transport could only be balanced by shear and stratification in the mean gravitational circulation. In a more realistic example with strong friction, the gravitational circulation would be severely damped, and inward transport could only be accomplished by correlations of shear and stratification in the tide and overtide flows.     

Roles of horizontal processes in the formation of density stratification in Hiuchi-Nada

Roles of horizontal processes in the formation of the density stratification in Hiuchi-Nada are investigated by means of a two-dimensional numerical model. In Hiuchi-Nada, vertically mixed and stratified regions are formed due to the regional difference of the tidal currents, and a tidal front is formed between the two regions. The horizontal mixing across the tidal front suppresses the development of the stratification, which is developed too much in the absence of the horizontal mixing. The moderate, realistic stratification cannot be realized in the model without the horizontal mixing. Density currents are formed due to the density distribution associated with the mixed and stratified states. These currents contribute to the horizontal mixing through the shear effect. Horizontal heat transfer from the outside water generates the vertical circulation and causes the stratification. This effect dominantly appears at the early and late stages of the stratified season. The stratification is initiated before the beginning of the surface heating and persists beyond the end, due to the horizontal heat transfer.