Hydrodynamic modeling of the Lagoons of Marano and Grado, Italy

A finite element hydrodynamic model has been used to describe the water circulation and the water transport times of the Lagoons of Marano and Grado, Italy. The hydrodynamic circulation of the lagoon has been simulated taking into account different forces such as tide, wind and rivers. The model has been validated by comparing the simulation results against measured water levels and salinity and water temperature data collected in several stations inside the lagoons. Once the model has been validated, water residence time have been estimated for two different scenarios.