Flushing efficiency of Augusta Harbour (Italy)

Water quality of semi-enclosed basins crucially depends on flushing efficiency, mainly affected by tidal and wind driven circulation. This paper presents numerical estimation of flushing features of Augusta Harbour (Italy) evaluated by using of 2DH hydrodynamic models. The application presented herein has been carried out in order to investigate the effectiveness of hydrodynamic action in removing any substances from the system. Hydrodynamic finite element model was calibrated in terms of water level and current velocities by comparing numerical results with measurements collected by means of two Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) placed close to the harbour entrances. On the basis of numerical results, standard hydrodynamic parameters (Tidal Prism Ratio, Flushing time and Exchange coefficient) were estimated in order to evaluate flushing efficiency of the harbour. Finally, numerical estimated Tidal Prism Ratio was compared with the one computed on the basis of field data and good agreement was achieved.