The effect of waves in hydrodynamics, stratification, and salt wedge intrusion in a microtidal estuary

Waves have been found to modulate circulation, stratification, and sediment dynamics in several estuaries, mainly near the mouth. This study analyzes effects of waves on hydrodynamics, stratification process, salt wedge an estuary with a microtidal range, high fluvial discharges, dominated by waves: Magdalena River (MRE). It is, under low flow conditions, highly stratified, type. Field measurements MOHID 3D modeling system, 2D coupled SWAN model, were used for this purpose. The seasons 2018 (February-March) 2020 (March) taken as case studies. Results show that when considering wave numerical simulations, more realistic conditions are reproduced circulation patterns salinity distribution outer estuary. Variations velocity between mouth 2 km upstream comparing simulations without waves, especially mixing layer. These variations hydrodynamics may be associated increased wave-induced bed shear stress, barotropic baroclinic acceleration, vertical mixing. At into river channel, reduction height energy 95% changes already lower than 2%. In addition, it was observed do not generate significant wedge, which is affected diurnal tidal cycle, presenting length intrusion up 1 km, magnitude longitudinal gradient at front, salinities tide enters, tide, its retreat.