Momentum Balance Across a Barrier Reef

• Published in: Journal of geophysical research. Oceans 2020-02, Vol.125 (2), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Sous, D., Dodet, G., Bouchette, F., Tissier, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Barotropic mode; barrier reef; Barrier reefs; Beaches; Computational fluid dynamics; Computer simulation; coral; Coral reefs; Earth Sciences; experiments; Extreme waves; Fluid flow; friction; Fringing reefs; Geophysics; Hydrodynamics; Momentum; Momentum balance; Momentum budget; Numerical simulations; Oceanography; Pressure; Pressure gradients; Pressure sensors; Profilers; Radiation; Reefs; Sciences of the Universe; Turbulence; Turbulence models; Velocity profilers; Vertical profiles; wave; Wave breaking
• ISSN: 2169-9275; 2169-9291
• DOI: 10.1029/2019JC015503

This paper reports on a combined experimental and numerical study dedicated to barrier reefs hydrodynamics. A network of pressure sensors and velocity profilers has been deployed for more than 2 months over the Ouano reef barrier, New Caledonia. The primary aim of the study is to assess the relevance of the classical depth‐averaged momentum balance in such a complex and poorly documented environment. The combined analysis of experimental and numerical measurements reveals a specific hydrodynamic behavior contrasting with sandy beaches and fringing reefs. The cross‐reef current induced by wave breaking over the barrier reef plays an important role in the momentum budget, in particular through friction processes. The hydrodynamic behavior over the barrier reef is thus characterized by the progressive transition from a nearly classical beach type behavior on the forereef, where the gradient of radiation stress is balanced by a barotropic pressure gradient associated to the wave setup, to an open‐channel type regime, dominated by frictional head loss. The reef top wave setup shows a clear depth dependency mainly attributed to the forereef curvature. During extreme wave events, the measurements tend to indicate a transition toward a critical hydraulic regime above the reef top. The numerical simulations, involving a non‐hydrostatic wave‐resolving model coupled to a K−ϵ turbulence model, highlight the vertical structure of the flow. Over the reef flat, a classical log‐layer profile is observed, in agreement with measurements, while above the forereef an anticlockwise circulation develops under the breaking zone. Key Points The first complete evaluation of momentum balance over a reef barrier from measurements and numerical modeling Reef hydrodynamics evolves from classical beach regime on the forereef to a friction‐driven flow over the reef flat Wave resolving numerical simulations highlight the complexity of the vertical structure of the flow