Prediction of a Flushing Rate in an Embayment System for Construction of an Environmentally Sound Harbor

환경친화적 항만건설을 위한 항내 희석률 예측

This paper presents a novel method to predict a flushing rate in an embayment system, which can be utilized to assess an environmental impact caused by harbor construction. The method was successfully applied to the Ulsan-Onsan coastal area. The flushing rate was computed on the basis of water quality changes predicted by US Army Corps of Engineers' RMA-2/RMA-4 models. After calibration and verification to the measured tidal elevation and current velocity, the model was used to estimate the flushing rate in the proposed harbor. The water quality was simulated for 96 hours and the flushing rate was computed. The results indicated that the proposed harbor would significantly reduce the flushing rate in the Onsan harbor, especially at the small embayment area near the south breakwater. The flushing rate was evaluated for several alternatives, of which the tidal flow channel of 1,000 $m^2$ in the south pier appeared to be the best mitigation measure. This study proposes that the prediction of flushing rate would be a novel method to assess a water quality impact caused by harbor construction.