Numerical Study of Hydrodynamic Regime of the Taganrog Bay Waters in the Sea of Azov

B. V. Divinsky

Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation

e-mail: divin@ocean.ru

Abstract

Purpose. The work is aimed at studying the hydrodynamic conditions of formation of the sand spits in Taganrog Bay of the Azov Sea from the viewpoint of the morphological features of spits.

Methods and Results. The analysis is based on the results of numerical modeling the hydrodynamic parameters of the entire Azov Sea over 42 years, from 1979 to 2020. The generated data array consists of the hourly spatial fields of bottom current speeds and directions, as well as the wind wave significant heights and directions of their propagation. A significant difference between the hydrodynamic regimes of the sand spits of the northern coast (Belosaraysk and Krivaya spits) and the southern coast (Ochakovsk, Chumbursk, Sazalniksk and Yeysk spits) has been found.

Conclusions. In the coastal waters of Belosaraysk and Krivaya spits (the northern coast), the frequency of currents from the east prevails. Beglitsk (the northern coast), Ochakovsk and Sazalniksk (the southern coast) spits are characterized by the predominance of currents from the west. In the region of Belosaraysk and Krivaya spits, the long-term mean velocities of the currents directed to the east are slightly higher than those of the currents directed to the west. In the areas of Beglitsk spit (the northern coast), as well as Ochakovsk, Chumbursk, Sazalniksk and Yeysk spits in the southern part of the bay, the eastward directed currents dominate noticeably, both in terms of mean and maximum speeds. In the coastal waters of Belosaraysk and Krivaya spits, both the mean and maximum heights of the waves propagating to the east slightly exceed those of the waves propagating to the west. As for Beglitsk, Ochakovsk, Chumbursk, Sazalniksk and Yeysk spits, the dominating westward direction of wave propagation is, on average, a characteristic feature, whereas the waves of maximum heights develop during the eastern storms.

Keywords

Sea of Azov, sand spits, hydrodynamic conditions, numerical modeling

Acknowledgements

The work was carried out in accordance with the theme of state assignment of IO RAS (No. FMWE-2024-0027).

Original russian text

Original Russian Text © B. V. Divinsky, 2024, published in MORSKOY GIDROFIZICHESKIY ZHURNAL, Vol. 40, Iss. 5 (2024)

For citation

Divinsky, B.V., 2024. Numerical Study of Hydrodynamic Regime of the Taganrog Bay Waters in the Sea of Azov. Physical Oceanography, 31(5), pp. 694-706.

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