Lim, H.S., Chun, I.S., Kim, C.S., Park, K.S., Shim, J.S. and Yoon, J.J, 2013. High-Resolution Operational Coastal Modeling System for the Prediction of Hydrodynamics in Korea Using a Wave-Current Coupled Model

We have developed a high-resolution operational coastal modeling system for the coastal waters of Korea using a wave-current coupled model ROMS. The operational oceanographic system consists of operational modeling and monitoring modules. The modeling system comprises atmospheric and hydrodynamic models coupled with three-dimensional hydrodynamics, wave, sediment transport, and water quality model. The hydrodynamic variables are forecasted on a 72-hour basis. The real-time monitoring system is comprised of buoy, HF-radar and geostationary Communication Ocean Meteorological Satellite (COMS). The web-GIS-based coastal information system provides predicted results with real-time monitoring data for dissemination to the public and validation of the predicted results. The operational coastal modeling system uses the ROMS hydrodynamic model coupled with SWAN, a wave model. WRF is used for meteorological modeling of atmospheric forcing, NAO.99jb is a regional tide model used for the tides, and CE-QUAL-ICM is an eutrophication model that is used for simulating the water quality. The atmospheric forcing is derived from the predicted results of the WRF atmospheric model, which has been operated for forecasting in the East China Sea and East Sea. The ocean boundary condition is derived from data-assimilative ROMS, which has been in operation for the Yellow Sea. The hydrodynamic variables were calibrated with tidal surface elevation and verified with current data observed by a bottom-mounted ADCP and AWAC. To validate the predicted results, we use real-time monitoring data from hydrodynamic measurements observed by the operational AWAC and buoy, 1-h averaged surface currents measured by HF-radar, and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) obtained hourly and derived from the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) of COMS. The wave-current coupled ROMS-SWAN modeling system shows enhanced wave-current interaction for the coastal waters of Korea, especially for the prediction of storm surge height and variation of suspended sediment transport. This operational coastal modeling system has been originally developed for the prediction system of coastal waters of Korea and used for the development of an Integrated-Maritime Prediction System (I-MAPS) supporting the operation of the major ports system of Korea such as Incheon and Gunsan on the western coast of Korea, and Yeosu, Masan and Busan on the southern coast of Korea. I-MAPS will also provide monitoring and predicted data to governmental agencies and to the public to support ship navigation and marine activity and to solve problems associated with coastal accidents, such as storm surge, inundation, search and rescue, and oil-spills, as a part of the Korea Operational Oceanographic System (KOOS) which will be in operation by the end of 2013.