Flushing and dispersion characteristics of Godavari estuary under different river discharge conditions

Abstract

Temperature and salinity variations during September and December representing high and low river discharge months respectively are presented. Temperature variations are very small in vertical as well as in longitudinal section of the estuary. Salinities in the estuary are mainly controlled by the river discharge. Estuarine waters are well stratified in September, particularly to a depth of 6 m. The mixing processes in the estuary have been studied based on the computed flushing times and longitudinal diffusion coefficients. In September the flushing time of the estuary is about 4 tidal cycles (48 h) while in December it is about 46 tidal cycles (552 h). The longitudinal diffusion coefficient also varies with fresh water discharge.