A First Study of the Residual Circulation Profile in the Bouregreg Estuary (Morocco)

The residual circulation in the Bouregreg Estuary (Morocco) was modeled using a simple model to reduce degrees of freedom and modeling effort. The Moroccan Estuary’s residual circulation profile has never been studied to our knowledge. Direct current measurements were used to determine residual currents using Hansen and Rattray’s analytical solution. According to MacCreary and Geyer, Reynolds-averaged equations in hydrostatic form and Boussinesq approximations are used to determine water salinity and momentum along channels. Besides momentum advection and Coriolis forces, only gradients along the channel were considered. An analytical solution combining Hansen and Rattray’s classical theory with Geyer and MacCready’s analysis of residual flow was used to model a fixed station in a river using residue flow, temperature, and salinity flow. The residual flow of Bouregreg Estuary was well described by a simplified model approach that was in agreement with observed data. Observation data was used to calibrate Hansen and Rattray flows. The residual circulation model can be used to predict chemical pollution in estuaries.