Modelling nearshore circulation in a fringing reef system: Ningaloo Reef, Australia

Surface wave breaking is the primary driver of mean reef-lagoon circulation in Ningaloo Reef, Australia's largest fringing coral reef system. This finding was derived from a six-week field experiment and numerical modelling using a coupled wave-circulation model (ROMS-SWAN), which successfully replicated observed current and wave patterns. The study, conducted at Sandy Bay, demonstrated that tides play a secondary role in circulation, while wind effects were insignificant during the observation period. This research provides critical insights into the dynamics of morphologically complex fringing reef systems, enhancing our understanding of nearshore processes in UNESCO-listed coastal environments.

Taebi, S., Lowe, R. J., Pattiaratchi, C. B., Ivey, G. N., & Symonds, G. (2024). Modelling nearshore circulation in a fringing reef system: Ningaloo Reef, Australia. Journal of Coastal Research, 64(sp1), 1200–1203. https://doi.org/10.2112/1551-5036-64.sp1.1200