Field and modelling study on the hydrodynamics of the harbor of nea Moudania (nw Aegean sea)

Abstract

Modern harbour engineering considers environmental issues of the harbour basin and ad- jacent coastal areas. The expansion of Nea Moudania harbour, in northern Greece, offers an example

of a holistic investigation in harbour hydrodynamics. The objective of this work is the study of the

circulation and flushing time of the harbour waters. Field measurements were carried out by means

of current and water level recorders. Meteorological data were also collected. The data analysis led

to: (a) currents of a few m/s up to 0.20 m/s inside the inner harbour basin, forming mainly 3 eddies

depended on the prevailing meteorological conditions, and (b) flushing flow rate estimates of 2–9

/s with corresponding basin renewal times on the order of a day. The water level recordings indi- cated that the mean tidal amplitude was roughly 15 cm. A 2D hydrodynamic model was applied in

parallel to complement the field measurements. The combined field measurements and numerical

modelling explained the hydrodynamic conditions in the harbour, leading to important indications

with regard to environmental issues of the harbour.