Fraction of New Water Entering Bay from Sea each Tidal Cycle given Residence Time Calculator

Formula Used:

\[ \varepsilon = \frac{V \times T}{P \times T_r} \]

Average Volume of Bay over Tidal Cycle:

m³/h

Tidal Duration:

years

Tidal Prism Filling Bay:

m³

Residence Time:

years

Fraction of New Water entering the Bay:

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1. What is Fraction of New Water Entering Bay?

The Fraction of New Water entering the Bay is the continuous ratio of freshwater influx to total water volume. It represents the proportion of new seawater that enters the bay during each tidal cycle, which is crucial for understanding water exchange and residence time in coastal systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ \varepsilon = \frac{V \times T}{P \times T_r} \]

Where:

\( \varepsilon \) — Fraction of New Water entering the Bay
\( V \) — Average Volume of Bay over Tidal Cycle (m³/h)
\( T \) — Tidal Duration (years)
\( P \) — Tidal Prism Filling Bay (m³)
\( T_r \) — Residence Time (years)

Explanation: This formula calculates the fraction of new water entering the bay by considering the relationship between tidal volume, duration, prism, and residence time.

3. Importance of Fraction Calculation

Details: Calculating the fraction of new water entering a bay is essential for understanding water quality, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem health in coastal environments. It helps in assessing the bay's flushing capacity and its ability to dilute pollutants.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all values in the specified units. Ensure all values are positive and valid. The calculator will compute the fraction of new water entering the bay based on the provided inputs.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is tidal prism?
A: Tidal prism is the volume of water between mean high tide and mean low tide, representing the amount of water that enters and leaves the bay during each tidal cycle.

Q2: How is residence time defined?
A: Residence time is the average time a water particle remains in the bay before being flushed out, calculated based on the bay's volume and flushing rate.

Q3: Why is this fraction important for environmental studies?
A: It helps determine how quickly pollutants are diluted and flushed out, affecting water quality and marine life in the bay.

Q4: Can this calculator be used for any bay or estuary?
A: Yes, as long as the required parameters are accurately measured and provided in the correct units.

Q5: What are typical values for this fraction?
A: Values vary widely depending on the bay's geometry, tidal range, and freshwater input, but typically range from 0.1 to 0.9.