Numerical Modeling of Tidal Dynamics in the Java Sea

Numerical experiments have been performed to study the characteristic of tide and tidal current in the Java Sea using the new version of COHERENS (Coupled Hydrodynamical-Ecological model for Regional and Shelf Seas), COHERENS V2.0. In the present study we focus on the tidal wave propagation, tidal energy propagation, tide-induced residual current and the tidal front critical value in the Java Sea. Based on our model results, we have found that tidal wave and tidal energy fluxes propagate westward in the Java Sea and also clearly shown the bifurcation of M2 tidal wave in the Makassar Strait. K1 tidal energy flux is coming from the Pacific Ocean while M2 tidal energy flux is from the Indian Ocean. Tidal waves loss their energy when entering the Java Sea due to the steep bottom topography in the inlet (eastern part). Tide-induced residual current generated by K1 tide shows a remarkable counterclockwise rotational flow due to geometrical boundary effect and bottom topography despite a clockwise flow by M2 tide in the western part due to the bottom topography and shoaling effect. Comparison between the value of log(H/U^3), where H is the water depth in m and U is the amplitude of tidal current in ms^-1, with the composite image of MODIS-aqua and MODIS-tera of SST gradient distribution for transitional (wet to dry) season in the Java Sea reveals that the tidal front is located at log(H/U^3) value of 3.5.