| Determining trajectories of mussel larvae by in situ methods has been a long standing and difficult problem in biological oceanography because of small larval size and high larval dilution rates. To better understand particle trajectories, a hydrodynamic circulation model, ADvanced CIRCulation (ADCIRC), is used to solve the vertically integrated shallow-water equations. A fourth-order Runge-Kutta method is combined with ADCIRC velocity output to advect particles, simulating advection of mussel larvae that originate in Mission Bay, California. Ensemble averages in particle termination locations are then taken to determine changes in trajectories in response to changes in surface stress, bottom stress, release time, and release location. Release from two separate parts of the bay, Dana Landing and Marine Sanctuary, are studied. It is found that surface stress, in the form of either a varying wind or a westward wind, advects particles toward the mouth of the bay. However, a varying wind release does not affect particles from Marine Sanctuary as much as those from Dana Landing. Increasing bottom stress is found to hinder particle advection toward the mouth of the bay for particles originating at Dana Landing or Marine Sanctuary. Particle trajectories originating from Marine Sanctuary are sensitive to release times in contrast with Dana Landing trajectories. Lastly, where particles are released in Dana Landing has no major influence on trajectories. |
