Articles | Volume 21, issue 7
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-3287-2017
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-3287-2017
Research article
 | 
04 Jul 2017
Research article |  | 04 Jul 2017

The physics behind Van der Burgh's empirical equation, providing a new predictive equation for salinity intrusion in estuaries

Zhilin Zhang and Hubert H. G. Savenije

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Cited articles

Abdullah, A. D., Gisen, J. I. A., van der Zaag, P., Savenije, H. H. G., Karim, U. F. A., Masih, I., and Popescu, I.: Predicting the salt water intrusion in the Shatt al-Arab estuary using an analytical approach, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 20, 4031–4042, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-4031-2016, 2016.
Banas, N. S., Hickey, B. M., and MacCready, P.: Dynamics of Willapa Bay, Washington: A highly unsteady, partially mixed estuary, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 34, 2413–2427, 2004.
Cai, H., Savenije, H. H. G., and Toffolon, M.: A new analytical framework for assessing the effect of sea-level rise and dredging on tidal damping in estuaries, J. Geophys. Res.-Oceans, 117, C09023 https://doi.org/10.1029/2012JC008000, 2012.
Dyer, K. R.: (New revised issue) Estuaries: a Physical Introduction, John Wiley & Sons Aberdeen, UK, 1997.
Fischer, H. B.: Mass transport mechanisms in partially stratified estuaries, J. Fluid Mech., 53, 671–687, 1972.
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Short summary
An estuary is where fresh water rivers meet the salty open sea. This mixture of salty fresh water leads to a varying water quality. There a model works well showing how far the salty water can travel, with an empirical parameter that needs to be calibrated every time. This paper provides a possible solution for this parameter to make the model predictive. Also, the model was improved by considering 2-D exchange flow. This new model was supported by observations in 18 estuaries around the world.