Numerical model study in Alimini Lake (Apulia Italy)

The aim of this work is to estimate the impact of a n extra freshwater flux from the Zuddeo channel on hydrodynamic natural processes in the coastal lake of Alimini Grande (Apulia, Italy), and in particular on the currents, residence time and salinity field of the lake through the application of the SHYFEM numerical model. Several simulations have been made, comparing the natural discharge of the Zuddeo channel with a situation of the actual inflow plus a freshwater inflow of 7000000 m3/year. Wind, tide and discharge of two years (1998-1999), in which all the data was available, have been used. Basin residence times and residual currents have been calculated in order to investigate and understand the hydrodynamic characteristics of the Alimini lake. The results have shown a negligible impact on the basin circulation but not on the residence time and salinity field.