Three-Dimensional Simulation of Qeshm Channel Currents

Qeshm Channel is a shallow and narrow waterway located between Qeshm Island and the mainland in the vicinity of Hormuzgan Province, Islamic Republic of Iran. This channel is important because of its economic, industrial, fisheries and navigation role it plays as well as environmental issues it presents in the region. A prognostic study was performed to simulate currents in this channel, using COHERENS model. This model is a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model. Simulation of currents was carried out in 20 sigma levels from the seabed to the water surface during one month. It was assumed that the variations of seawater temperature and salinity, four main tidal constituents and the regional wind were the most effective factors in the numerical simulation. Finally, sensitivity analysis was carried out for each factor and the outputs of simulation were verified using the field data recorded by the experts from Iranian National Center for Oceanography. Very good agreements were found between the numerical results and the field data.