Hydronamic modelling of Oualidia and Sidi Moussa Lagoons - Morocco

Abstract

In order to implement the development of aquaculture in the lagoons of Oualidia (32°45' N - 9°3' W) and Sidi Moussa (32º52' N - 8º51' W) two hydrodynamic models were created, which have been mainly structured from a bathymetry obtained by hyperspectral images taken from the Worldview 2 satellite (using ArcGIS 10.2.2), tidal data with predominance M2 (12:42h period) and 54% coefficient, topographic data obtained by drone Bramor Geo of wing fixed model (only Oualidia) and the most frequent annual wind regime (4.6 m/s) with NNE direction. The objective was to obtain a matrix of current vectors within the lagoons and the time of water renewal using a conservative tracer (according to equation C(t) = C(0) "#$%) in order to represent the most favorable areas for aquaculture activities in those region. According to the results obtained, these areas would be located in the middle zone, being Oualidia the lagoon that has a greater exploitable range than Sidi moussa.