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On the use of the sigma-coordinate system in regions of large bathymetric variations
Deleersnijder, E.; Beckers, J.-M. (1992). On the use of the sigma-coordinate system in regions of large bathymetric variations. J. Mar. Syst. 3(4-5): 381-390. dx.doi.org/10.1016/0924-7963(92)90011-V
In: Journal of Marine Systems. Elsevier: Tokyo; Oxford; New York; Amsterdam. ISSN 0924-7963; e-ISSN 1879-1573, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 
Document type: Conference paper

Keywords
    Control > Depth control
    Coordinate systems
    Measurement > Depth measurement > Bathymetry
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Deleersnijder, E., more
  • Beckers, J.-M., more

Abstract
    The sigma -transformation is a widely used coordinate change that maps the actual depth-varying sea onto a computational domain, the depth of which is constant. The advantages of this technique are numerous. It permits an efficient use of computer resources, a simple treatment of the surface and bottom boundary conditions, and an accurate representation of the bathymetry. However, if the range of the depth is too large, or when the depth varies too rapidly, as in the shelf break region, it may be shown that the sigma-transformation leads to severe numerical errors. In the application of GHER's three-dimensional model to the Western Mediterranean, the occurrence of those numerical errors is avoided by the introduction of a two-fold sigma-coordinate system in the deep sea.

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