Coastal Zones

Various spectral wave parameterizations are existed in WAVEWATCH III which can influence the simulated wave characteristics in a specified sea area. Previous researches showed that selecting appropriate spectral wave parameterization i.e., BAJ, WAM4, ACC350 and T&C depends on many factors including, sea characteristics and storm conditions which should be chosen separately in each region. In this research, spectral wave parameterizations have been evaluated and assessed in a semi-enclosed sea area such as Persian Gulf by using four buoy data in Lavan and Farour (2009-2010), Boushehr (2005) and Farzad A Platform (2013). ECMWF and NOAA data has been used as a wind field data over the simulated area in accordance to the relevant time period. All of the available spectral wave parameterizations were used separately in the simulation and the results, significant wave height, peak spectral period and wave direction were compared with measured values in each station. Results showed that ACC350 spectral wave parameterization overestimates the significant wave height in all stations especially in storm conditions, although other spectral wave parameterizations normally underestimate that value. Among all of the spectral wave parameterizations, WAM4 seems to be the most appropriate one for simulating significant wave heights in Persian Gulf. In respect to peak spectral period ACC350 showed better results among the other spectral wave parameterizations. Furthermore, the results of simulated wave direction showed less sensitivity to any spectral wave parameterization.