Numerical study on the transport process of Chaohu Lake and its relation with wind
Abstract
Transport process of Chaohu Lake is investigated numerically using FVCOM (Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model) model and tracer tracking method. Simulations are done under different wind directions, and indicators as water exchange from western lake to eastern lake and the percentage of area with over 10% tracer concentration are used to express and analyze the basic characters of transport process, which reveal the dynamic mechanism of heterogeneity in the distribution of pollutant in the lake. Moreover, the role of wind in the process is further analyzed. The simulation results reveal that the transport process is determined by wind speed and its lasting time. The quantitatively relationships of wind direction, wind speed and water exchange volume of half lakes are also discussed, and the characteristic wind variable is put forward to express the relation. Based on the above analysis, a rapid evaluation method is used to indicate the pollutant distribution in the lake. Results show that the monthly characteristic wind value coordinate well with the monthly water exchange volume between half lakes and the lake area with higher pollutant concentration due to transport process.
