Hydrodynamic modelling of short-term dispersion in a macro-tidal sea, validation by high-resolution radionuclide tracer measurements

P. Bailly Du Bois (1) , F. Dumas (2) , L. Solier (1)

1 IRSN - Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire
2 IFREMER - Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer

This work aims to validate the dispersion parameters of hydrodynamic models for the short term (hour to week), and short distances (100 m-30 km), by using high precision and high frequency measurements of tritium obtained in the release plume. An instantaneous 2D hydrodynamic model has been developed with a mesh size of 110m and an area of 50x50 km. More than 7,000 samples have been collected and measured for tritium concentrations in 2002 and 2003. Currents and bathymetric measurements, as well as drifters observations complete these measurements. Results confirm the efficiency of the hydrodynamic model, main differences being attributable to bathymetry incertitudes. After calibration, the model gives accurate results during six hours following a release. The obtained field database represents an exceptional tool for hydrodynamic models validation in realistic conditions of releases, tide and wind, in an area where the current dynamic is particularly strong (more than 5 m/s during high tides). The dispersion parameters obtained will be applied for other hydrodynamic models covering continental macro-tidal seas. Such models will be used to simulate soluble pollutants dispersion, with known uncertainties, in realistic chronic or accidental release conditions.

Domains: Sciences of the Universe [physics]; Ocean, Atmosphere; Environmental Sciences; Environmental Sciences; Environmental Engineering

P. Bailly Du Bois, F. Dumas, L. Solier. Hydrodynamic modelling of short-term dispersion in a macro-tidal sea, validation by high-resolution radionuclide tracer measurements. Radioprotection, 2005, 40, pp.563 - 568. ⟨10.1051/radiopro:2005s1-082⟩. ⟨hal-02433275⟩