A Field Observation and Numerical Insight on the Impact of Strong Wave-Current Interaction on the Turbidity at Matarbari Coast of Bangladesh

This study investigates the effect of wave-current interaction on the local turbidity at Matarbari, Bangladesh on the basis of observation and monitoring data obtained from the actual construction site. Analysis and interpretation of the acquired data show that current is predominantly tide-induced with maximum speed of about 1.5–2.0 m/s during the monsoon season and is flowing southward during ebb tide and reverses during flood tide. Similarly, high waves with wave height of about 2.0 m often struck the site during the monsoon season. Moreover, it has been shown through numerical simulations using the SWAN wave model that the presence of a strong opposing ambient current due to the influence of tides would lead to concentration and amplification of wave height especially near the project site. Due to this amplified wave heights and strong tidal current, turbidity around the site tends to increase further specially during spring tide which occurs in monsoon season particularly in the months of August and September.