• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.47-52
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• 2009

A Lagrangian particle tracking model coupled with the Princeton Ocean Model were used to estimate the average residence time of coastal water in Masan Bay, Korea. Our interest in quantifying the transport time scales in Masan Bay was stimulated by the search for a mechanistic understanding of this spatial variability, which is consistent with the concept of spatially variable transport time scales. Tidal simulation was calibrated through a comparison with the results of semi-diurnal current and water elevation measured at the tidal stations of Masan, Gadeokdo. In the model simulations, particles were released in eight cases, including slack before ebb, peak ebb, slack before flood, and peak flood, during both spring and neap tides. The averaged values obtained from the particle release simulations were used for the average residence times of the coastal water in Masan Bay. The average residence times for the southeastern parts of Somodo and the Samho River, Masan Bay were estimated to be about 20~50days and 70~80days, respectively. The spatial difference for the average residence time was controlled by the tidal currents and distance from the mouth of the bay. Our results might provide useful for understanding the transport and behavior of coastal water in a bay and might be used to estimate the dissimilative capacity for environmental assessment.