• Environmental Hydrodynamic Modeling and Sediment Transport in Maputo Bay

    Paulo José Sigaúque1, Paulo Cesar Rosman2, Eduardo González-Gorbeña3

    1. Departamento de marés e correntes, Instituto Nacional de Hidrografia e Navegação (INAHINA), Avenida Karl Max, 153 C.P. 2089, Maputo, Moçambique.

    2. Instituto Alberto Luiz Coimbra de Pós Graduação e Pesquisa de Engenharia, Programa de Engenharia Oceânica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Centro de Tecnologia Bloco C Sala 209, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro C.P6850.

    3. Instituto Alberto Luiz Coimbra de Pós Graduação e Pesquisa de Engenharia, Programa de Engenharia Oceânica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.Centro de Tecnologia Bloco C Sala 209, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro C.P 6850.

    Abstract:
    In Maputo Bay, located in south of Mozambique, it is important to know the hydrodynamics circulation due to tides and local winds, as well as the sediment dynamics processes, to auxiliary the maritime navigation.For this work, a finite element modelling system has been adopted, this being employed SisBaHiA®, which is the acronym for Base System for Environmental Hydrodynamics in Portuguese. Simulations have been done using a 2DH hydrodynamic model coupled with a sediment transport model, forced with local winds, river discharges and tides.
    This work presents results foran environmental hydrodynamic and sediment transport study, focused on the Maputo harbor area and close to the border open(near the Inhaca Island) in order to assess the trend of the drift of sediment.
    The results showed that the tides are the physical process that dominates the circulation on the bay. The tidal current is highest in the central part of the bay than in eastern and western. As expected, current velocitiesare more intense during spring tidesthan during neap tides.It has not been identified any seasonal variations in tidal current intensities. In most parts of the bay,variations in bathymetry due to sediment transport showed small differences from summer to winter.

    Keywords: Tidal waves, Tidal currents, Hydrodynamic and Sediment Transport Model.

    Pages: 56 – 68 | Full PDF Paper