Hydrodynamic characterization in a tropical estuarie of South America with mixed microtidal regime (Cartagena Bay Colombia)

Abstract

Investigations about Hydrodynamic in tropical estuary with semidiurnal mixed micro tidal regime such as Cartagena's Bay in Colombia, until date hadn't shown a characterization of the current profile ant it's relation with the tidal regime and superficial winds. The present research identified that tidal regime had greater impact over the measurements points. The wind such as forcer agent mainly affected to the shallower measurement point and closer to the shore as well. The greater wind energy transference was identified over water mass in the 50 cm of distance up to surface. When winds flowed in the same direction as the tidal flow, the maximum currents velocities were located in the flood and ebb of the spring tides; when the wind direction was opposite to the currents direction, the maximum measurements were located in the neap tides as a delay of the hydrodynamic process. The maximum velocity in the medium profile of the in situ data was located 50 cm under surface in both observed point, showing the greater wind energy transference into the water column. The residual circulation was estimated, where southwards currents are predominant during dry season, and change to northward currents during wet and transition season.