Circulation and pollutant dispersion in Masan-Jinhae Bay of Korea

Abstract Circulation and dispersion of pollutants in the Masan-Jinhae Bay, Korea were studied through numerical experiments as well as hydrographic field survey. The field survey includes the measurements of water-level, currents, temperature, salinity and chemical oxygen demands(COD). To simulate the circulation and dispersion of pollutants discharged into the Bay, a two-dimensional finite element scheme was employed. The calculated tidal currents were consistent with the current-meter measurements. Using the circulation model, dispersion of pollutants was estimated resulting in very slow mixing with the open waters due to near-stagnancy of the inner bay waters.