A Turbulence Model for Velocity Distribution in Open‐Channel Flows Through Mangrove Trees

Abstract The vertical distribution of flow velocity plays a critical role in sediment transport and nutrient circulation within mangrove forests, characterized by their intricate root structures. Existing velocity profile models typically rely on a single mixing length scale, limiting their ability...

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Main Authors: Zerun Tang, Wei‐Jie Wang, Saiyu Yuan, Shuolin Li, Pei Xin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-08-01
Series:Water Resources Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR039599
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author Zerun Tang
Wei‐Jie Wang
Saiyu Yuan
Shuolin Li
Pei Xin
author_facet Zerun Tang
Wei‐Jie Wang
Saiyu Yuan
Shuolin Li
Pei Xin
author_sort Zerun Tang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The vertical distribution of flow velocity plays a critical role in sediment transport and nutrient circulation within mangrove forests, characterized by their intricate root structures. Existing velocity profile models typically rely on a single mixing length scale, limiting their ability to capture the energy distribution of turbulent eddies across multiple scales. To address this limitation, we propose a turbulence model based on the eddy energetics that incorporates multiple length scales, resolving both local and non‐local effects. The model closes the shear stress term through a co‐spectral density function, employing a modified spectral linear Rotta scheme to account for the pressure‐redistribution effect. It integrates all relevant characteristic scales by leveraging a well‐established vertical velocity spectrum that encompasses eddies from the energy‐containing and inertial ranges. Validation of the model through numerical solutions shows excellent agreement with data from both flume experiments and field observations. Additionally, an approximate analytical solution is derived under simplified conditions, which reduces to the mixing length model under restricted scenarios. These findings offer a fresh model for characterizing the hydrodynamic impact of mangrove prop roots on turbulence, with implications for understanding material mixing and transport processes in mangroves.
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id doaj-art-4793a53e7c4d4e13a7d56a3149c41fe4
institution Kabale University
issn 0043-1397
1944-7973
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Wiley
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series Water Resources Research
spelling doaj-art-4793a53e7c4d4e13a7d56a3149c41fe42025-08-26T12:02:53ZengWileyWater Resources Research0043-13971944-79732025-08-01618n/an/a10.1029/2024WR039599A Turbulence Model for Velocity Distribution in Open‐Channel Flows Through Mangrove TreesZerun Tang0Wei‐Jie Wang1Saiyu Yuan2Shuolin Li3Pei Xin4State Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention Hohai University Nanjing ChinaState Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research Beijing ChinaState Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention Hohai University Nanjing ChinaData Science Institute Columbia University Durham NC USAState Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention Hohai University Nanjing ChinaAbstract The vertical distribution of flow velocity plays a critical role in sediment transport and nutrient circulation within mangrove forests, characterized by their intricate root structures. Existing velocity profile models typically rely on a single mixing length scale, limiting their ability to capture the energy distribution of turbulent eddies across multiple scales. To address this limitation, we propose a turbulence model based on the eddy energetics that incorporates multiple length scales, resolving both local and non‐local effects. The model closes the shear stress term through a co‐spectral density function, employing a modified spectral linear Rotta scheme to account for the pressure‐redistribution effect. It integrates all relevant characteristic scales by leveraging a well‐established vertical velocity spectrum that encompasses eddies from the energy‐containing and inertial ranges. Validation of the model through numerical solutions shows excellent agreement with data from both flume experiments and field observations. Additionally, an approximate analytical solution is derived under simplified conditions, which reduces to the mixing length model under restricted scenarios. These findings offer a fresh model for characterizing the hydrodynamic impact of mangrove prop roots on turbulence, with implications for understanding material mixing and transport processes in mangroves.https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR039599mangrove forestvelocity profileturbulent shear stressco‐spectral budgetmomentum transport
spellingShingle Zerun Tang
Wei‐Jie Wang
Saiyu Yuan
Shuolin Li
Pei Xin
A Turbulence Model for Velocity Distribution in Open‐Channel Flows Through Mangrove Trees
Water Resources Research
mangrove forest
velocity profile
turbulent shear stress
co‐spectral budget
momentum transport
title A Turbulence Model for Velocity Distribution in Open‐Channel Flows Through Mangrove Trees
title_full A Turbulence Model for Velocity Distribution in Open‐Channel Flows Through Mangrove Trees
title_fullStr A Turbulence Model for Velocity Distribution in Open‐Channel Flows Through Mangrove Trees
title_full_unstemmed A Turbulence Model for Velocity Distribution in Open‐Channel Flows Through Mangrove Trees
title_short A Turbulence Model for Velocity Distribution in Open‐Channel Flows Through Mangrove Trees
title_sort turbulence model for velocity distribution in open channel flows through mangrove trees
topic mangrove forest
velocity profile
turbulent shear stress
co‐spectral budget
momentum transport
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR039599
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