Coastal modelling with a GIS bathymetric module

Abstract

A 3D hydrodynamic/pollutant transport model was used to simulate the currents and pollutant transport in coastal areas. The bathymetric and shoreline data was provided to the model via a GIS module that operates in the ArcView GIS environment. The module is efficient and capable of generating bathymetric rectangular grids and shorelines of different resolution for open and closed boundary scenarios that can automatically be read by the coastal model. This ability could improve the basic patterns and relationships of the model such as grid dependency. The functionality of the 3D model with the GIS module is illustrated in a number of coastal areas in Greece.