Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2021, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (3): 44-56.doi: 10.11978/YG2020013CSTR: 32234.14.YG2020013

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Recent research advances on multi-scale coastal wave and current characteristics of coral reefs and islands

ZHENG Jinhai1,2(), SHI Jian1,2, CHEN Songgui3   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Coastal Disaster and Protection, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China
    2. College of Harbour, Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China
    3. Tianjin Research Institute for Water Transport Engineering, Ministry of Transport, Tianjin 300456, China
  • Received:2021-01-08 Revised:2021-02-21 Online:2021-05-10 Published:2021-02-21
  • Contact: ZHENG Jinhai E-mail:jhzheng@hhu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars(51425901)

Abstract:

The coasts of coral reefs and islands are characterized with very complex wave-current dynamics, unique morphology and largely unknown engineering responses, where wave transformation and wave-induced currents have significant impacts on the infrastructure safety, morphological evolution, disaster prevention, and eco-environmental protection. Recent research advances on these topics are reviewed with respect to three spatial scales, e.g., the large-scale long-wave guiding and trapping, the medium-scale hydrodynamics in a reef-lagoon-channel system, and the local wave-structure interaction. This paper includes the descriptions of, specifically, theoretical findings of guided and trapped waves over ocean ridges and around reef islands, two-dimensional horizontal wave basin experiment of a reef-lagoon-channel system, and new methods to estimate wave overtopping and forces on the seawall based on a large-scale wave flume experiment. Further research prospects are also suggested.

Key words: coral reef and island, wave and current dynamics, trapped wave, reef-lagoon-channel system, wave protection structures

CLC Number: 

  • P731.2