STRUCTURE-GENERATED MACROVORTICES AND THEIR EVOLUTION IN VERY SHALLOW DEPTHS

The generation of large-scale, horizontal eddies in correspondence of a submerged breakwater and their evolution in the region shoreward of the breakwater are studied by numerical and analytical means. Such eddies are thought of significantly influencing both flow patterns and sediment transport in the region of the very shallow waters near to the shoreline. Preliminary results reveal the main stages of possible scenarios for the generation and evolution of eddies at the breakwater location. The main characteristics of the transport of passive tracers and bottom sediments associated with the vortices motion are also illustrated.