Tidal Flow Asymmetry and Discharge of Lateral Tributaries Drive the Evolution of a Microtidal Meander in the Venice Lagoon (Italy)

A meandering channel in the Venice Lagoon evolves under asymmetric tidal flows, developing depositional patterns akin to fluvial meanders dominated by flood or ebb currents. Enhanced sediment and water fluxes from lateral tributaries, sourced from wind-wave exposed tidal flats, critically influence erosional and depositional dynamics within these sheltered meanders. The study used 2-D and 3-D numerical models to analyze natural and anthropogenically induced changes in tidal flow asymmetries over the past 120 years, comparing results with historical and modern field data. Findings highlight how increased tidal asymmetry reduces the morphological effects of the nondominant flow, while lateral tributaries significantly alter meander development.

Finotello, A., Canestrelli, A., Carniello, L., Ghinassi, M., & D’Alpaos, A. (2019). Tidal Flow Asymmetry and Discharge of Lateral Tributaries Drive the Evolution of a Microtidal Meander in the Venice Lagoon (Italy). Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 124(12), 3043–3066. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019jf005193