Papers by Christian Appendini
We investigate the wave energy potential in the Caribbean Sea using a 30-year wave hindcast. Wave... more We investigate the wave energy potential in the Caribbean Sea using a 30-year wave hindcast. Wave energy in enclosed sea basins, such as the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, is commonly associated with lower energy production rates. However, an easterly zonal wind reaching 13 m/s, known as the Caribbean Low-Level Jet (CCLJ), is shown to control the wave climatology in the Caribbean Sea. The wave hindcast information is validated with altimetry (Globwave) and buoy (DIMAR) data from the Colombian Caribbean Sea. The wave hindcast performance is very satisfactory at two buoy locations (Barranquilla and Providencia) and with respect to altimetry information, but presents an underprediction of extreme events at Puerto Bolivar. Therefore, an assessment of wave energy in the study area, based on wave hindcast information, is conducted to investigate the wave energy potential in such enclosed area. Numerical results suggest that the CLLJ region is suitable for wave energy extraction (8–14 kW/m) and presents important spatial gradients that need to be considered for the installation of wave energy devices. Furthermore, it is found that locally generated (sea) wave energy can be suitable for energy production and hence future technology development should be devoted to its harvesting.
Wave modeling performance in the Gulf of Mexico and Western Caribbean: Wind reanalyses assessment
This paper evaluates the wave modeling performance in the Gulf of Mexico and Western Caribbean Se... more This paper evaluates the wave modeling performance in the Gulf of Mexico and Western Caribbean Sea employing three different wind reanalysis data. Wind reanalysis is employed as the main forcing in wave generation/propagation numerical models. While the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWFs) ERA-40 reanalyses have been previously assessed in the performance for wave modeling, ECMWF's ERA-interim and in particular NCEP's North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) are more recent reanalyses. They both provide better resolution and description of the wind fields and have not been evaluated for long-term wave modeling. Therefore, the aim of this work is the assessment of the three different wind reanalyses on the wave hindcast performance. Attention is drawn on the wind reanalysis capability for predicting both mean and extreme wave conditions during two different periods: (i) an anomalous year where cyclonic events dominate the extreme wave climate in the region (2005); and (ii) a year with the wave climate dominated by synoptic events (2006). A third generation wave model, forced by the different wind reanalysis data, is calibrated with National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) buoys observations. Wind reanalysis data allow a consistent implementation of third generation wave models in order to predict the mean wave climate (correlation coefficient ∼0.84 for NCEP/NCAR, 0.94 for ERA-interim, 0.92 for NARR) for applied ocean studies. Numerical results revealed that both ERA-interim and NARR improve the wave modeling performance with respect to NCEP/NCAR (for extreme and non-extreme conditions), whereas the high- (spatial and temporal) resolution NARR data are more suitable for modeling extreme cyclonic events (i.e., hurricanes) in this region.
This paper presents a qualitative assessment of coastal processes along the northern coast of the... more This paper presents a qualitative assessment of coastal processes along the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula based on a method used to estimate the potential longshore sediment transport. Despite the deep-water low-energy wave conditions (Hs = 1 m) in the study area, erosion is critical in many locations, including the urbanized stretches of coast. The waves were characterized using a 12 y (1997–2009) deep-water wave hindcast data (WAVEWATCH III) as forcing for a spectral wind-wave numerical model (MIKE 21 SW) used to propagate the waves to the coast. Simulated time series of significant wave height, peak period, and direction are compared against in situ measurements at 10 m water depth. Numerical results are further employed for estimation of the nearshore wave climate along the coast. Wave conditions are strongly affected by the wide continental shelf in front of the northern Yucatan Peninsula, with an increase in wave energy at the eastern part of the peninsula where the shelf narrows. The nearshore wave climate is employed for the qualitative assessment of potential longshore sediment transport (LITDRIFT model) in the study area. The sediment transport calculations are consistent with both volume impoundment estimations at a groin and dredging estimates at a harbor (−35,000 m3/y). A net westward potential longshore sediment transport is found along the entire coast, ranging between −20,000 and −80,000 m3/y, except west of Holbox, where longshore transport direction is inverted. Based on sediment transport gradients, potential erosion and deposition areas are identified. Erosion/accretion patterns at nonurbanized areas are consistent with field observations. This dominant westward longshore transport suggests an extremely sensitive shoreline to littoral barriers, as supported by observations in the most urbanized areas. These areas show no gradients on longshore sediment transport, whereas beach erosion is a common feature enhanced by littoral barriers. Shore protection should then be oriented toward sediment management strategies.
Coastal Engineering …, 2012
The Yucatan coastline has been experiencing beach erosion during the past few decades, reaching c... more The Yucatan coastline has been experiencing beach erosion during the past few decades, reaching critical levels at some locations such as in Chelem beach located near the Progreso Pier. Despite this problem, only few studies have been devoted to investigate the role of coastal structures on explaining the high erosion rates. Therefore, the aim of this work is to evaluate the effects of the 6-km long Progreso Pier on the nearshore wave transformation and alongshore sediment transport in the study area. Field surveys were conducted in a monthly basis to measure the changes in the beach profiles. Furthermore, wave conditions were determined with an ADCP installed at 8 m water depth. Observations confirmed the high erosion trends(1m/year) that have produced coastal infrastructure damage and property loss along 10 km of coast. The wave measurements were employed as forcing on a third generation wave transformation model (MIKE 21 SW). Firstly, the numerical model is implemented in the study area for two different scenarios, with and without the Progreso Pier structure, in order to estimate the nearshore wave conditions. Subsequently, wave conditions predicted at 5 m water depth were employed for the estimation of longshore sediment transport in the study area. The modeling results showed that the pier acts as a large scale wave-sheltering structure that induces important longshore sediment transport gradients during mean wave conditions coming from the NE. On the other hand, during winter storms, when the dominant direction of the waves is from the NNW, the structure does not seem to play an important role on wave transformation into the study area. As a result, the Progreso Pier enhances beach erosion in the Chelem area by inducing longshore sediment transport gradients during mean wave climate and decreasing the capacity of waves to recover the summer beach profile.
Problemáticas y recomendaciones sobre las tecnologías de aprovechamiento de energías oceánicas
tepeu.sisal.unam.mx
An engineering approach for modeling hurricane extreme waves using analytical and numerical tools
… @ sLearning from Our …, 2013
Wave Setup in Inlets: Some Practical Considerations
Proceedings of the …, 2001
Results from a detailed 2-dimensional numerical modelling of the coastal processes in the vicinit... more Results from a detailed 2-dimensional numerical modelling of the coastal processes in the vicinity of 1,136,000m 3 shoreface nourishment, north of Torsminde, Denmark (west coast of Jutland facing the North Sea) are presented and discussed. The morphological development of the shoreface nourishment is estimated using the ISE approach and the results compared with measured morphological changes during the winter of November 1997 to April 1998. Results from a full morphological model in an idealised test case is presented and used to illustrate some main features of the morphological development of a shoreface nourishment.
Beach erosion management plan for Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico
Plan de manejo de la erosion costera para Playas de Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico
PLANIFICACION PRA EL MANEJO DE LA EROSION DE PLAYA EN PLAYAS DE ROSARITO, BC, UN PROTOTIPO PARA MEXICO. PARTE I: …
ine.gob.mx
... MC Christian Appendini Albrechtsen 2. ... la costa de Playas de Rosarito al norte de la plant... more ... MC Christian Appendini Albrechtsen 2. ... la costa de Playas de Rosarito al norte de la planta termoeléctrica de la CFE presenta cantiles resistentes a la erosión (ígneos) con una componente importante de cantiles sedimentarios en el area de San Antonio del Mar ... Predio urbano. ...
Modeling longshore sediment transport and shoaling assessment
Taking a Look at California's …, 1998
Modeling longshore sediment transport and shoaling assessment. CM Appendini, R Lizarraga-Arcinieg... more Modeling longshore sediment transport and shoaling assessment. CM Appendini, R Lizarraga-Arciniega, R Garcia-Krasovsky Taking a Look at California's Ocean Resources: An Agenda for the Future. 2, 1682-1693, 1998. Along ...
Development of a shoreline preservation strategy
Taking a Look at California's Ocean …, 1998
Development of a shoreline preservation strategy. CM Appendini, R Lizarraga-Arciniega Taking a Lo... more Development of a shoreline preservation strategy. CM Appendini, R Lizarraga-Arciniega Taking a Look at California's Ocean Resources: An Agenda for the Future, ASCE, Reston, VA(USA), 1998, 2, 1494-1498, 1998. Rosarito ...
Planning for beach erosion: A case study, Playas de Rosarito, BC Mexico
Journal of Coastal …, 2001
... where tourism is the most important economic activity, employing more than 65% of the economi... more ... where tourism is the most important economic activity, employing more than 65% of the economically active population (EURA, 1992). ... established sand deficit along with erosional processes together with onshore developments represent a vulnerabil-ity to storm hazard, where ...
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Papers by Christian Appendini