A baroclinic discontinuous Galerkin finite element model for coastal flows

Numerical modelling of coastal flows is a challenging topic due to complex topography of the coastal zone, rapid flow dynamics and large density variations. Such phenomena are best simulated with unstructured grid models due to their highly flexible spatial discretisation. This article presents a three-dimensional discontinuous Galerkin finite element marine model. Discontinuous Galerkin spatial discretisation is combined with an explicit mode splitting time integration scheme. Slope limiters are introduced to guarantee high quality of the tracer fields in the presence of strong gradients. Free surface movement is accounted for by means of an Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) moving mesh method. Water volume and tracers are conserved. The conservation properties and baroclinic adjustment under gravity are tested with numerical benchmarks. Finally, the model is applied to the Rhine river plume in an idealised setting.

► A discontinuous Galerkin finite element marine model is presented. ► Surface movement is tracked with conservative Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian method. ► A split-explicit time integration method is used. ► The model is validated with benchmarks and applied to the Rhine river plume system.