Impact of Al Ain El Sokhna Port Extensions on Water Renewal

Ports basins have to be designed in a way to guarantee an adequate exchange of water. Water quality is often determined not only by physical processes, but also by various biological, chemical, and ecological processes. However, flushing is generally a good indicator of the potential water quality and provides a valuable tool for evaluating and improving circulation.
In the current study, a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model based on Delft3D is established to study the circulation patterns which were then used to estimate the flushing characteristics within Al Sokhna port under the tide effect. The circulation patterns were simulated by depth average model for the condition of 2019 (Case1) and including two port extensions, i.e., Case 2 (after dredging the second basin) and Case 3 (considering the final extension as per the master plan). The residence time, flushing exchange coefficients and flushing uniformity have been evaluated. The diffusion parameter used in the modelling exercise was 5 m2/s (sensitivity of the diffusion parameter of 2 m2/s has been investigated and hence the flushing times become double). The flushing time (T37) was 9.8 days in the base configuration of the basin (Case 1) while it is increased to 13.3 days for Case 2 and 31 days for Case 3 (final development plan of the port). Based on these results, the water renewal is not good according to standards (USACE, USEPA and PIANC). Measures to improve the flushing efficiency is required, especially at the poorly flushed basin ends in-addition to pollutants & debris-collection and removal