PROCESS-BASED MODELING FOR THE YANGTZE ESTUARY

A state-of-art process-based model is applied to simulate the hydrodynamics in the Yangtze Estuary in China, as a basic step to acquaint ourselves with the morphological development and the effect of human interference in the estuary. A major improvement with respect to previous models for the Yangtze Estuary is that the present model covers the entire tidal region of the Yangtze River. Two curvilinear grids are used to adapt to the complex geomorphologic setting and the large spatial magnitude of the study area by applying domain decomposition techniques. The calibration of the model against extensive hydrodynamics data shows a good representation of observed hydrodynamics. With the present calibrated and validated model, the morphological evolution, as well as the effects of discharge regime change and sediment load reduction on the Yangtze Estuary can be carried on.