Tidal Current and Energy Flux in the Bohai Strait (China) Based on Multi-month In-situ Observations

Lian, Z.; Wei, Z.X.; Wang, Y.G.; Zhu, Y.H., and Wang, X.Y., 2020. Tidal current and energy flux in the Bohai Strait (China) based on multi-month in-situ observations. In: Guido Aldana, P.A. and Kantamaneni, K. (eds.), Advances in Water Resources, Coastal Management, and Marine Science Technology. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 104, pp. 362–370. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. In order to provide a more accurate knowledge for the tidal current and tidal energy flux in the Bohai Strait, current data from two in-situ mooring stations in Bohai Strait with durations up to about 8 months have been analyzed. The result shows that the tidal current is of mixed type, with M2 constituent being dominant and K1 constituent being the second largest in the Bohai Strait. The strong current does occur in the northern Bohai Strait, but its velocity is not as large as we previously expected. The vertical and temporal variations of M2 and K1 harmonic constants are also reported in this paper. At both stations, the tidal energy fluxes of four principal constituents are all toward the Bohai Sea, with a maximum M2 flux density exceeding 60 kW/m at the northern station. The total tidal energy fluxes across the Bohai Strait are as follows: M2, 3.65 GW; S2, 0.38 GW; K1, 0.45 GW; and O1, 0.18 GW. The in situ observations show that the existing models basically agree with observation but certain adjustments are necessary.