Regime shift in river-tide dynamics of longitudinal and transverse channels over the Pearl River Delta, China

作者：Bo Li, Hao Yang, Huayang Cai, Suying Ou, Feng Liu, Tongtiegang Zhao, Kairong Lin, J. Lin · 发表于：Journal of Hydrology · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.133883 · 被引用次数：2 · 研究领域：Geological formations and processes、Oceanographic and Atmospheric Processes、Geology and Paleoclimatology Research

Understanding the impact of upstream river discharge on river-tide dynamics is vital for sustainable freshwater management in river deltas, including flood control, salinity intrusion, navigation, etc. In this study, we applied the R_TIDE data-driven analysis tool to the Pearl River Delta (PRD), China, to quantify the stepwise alterations in river-tide dynamics, focusing on changes in water levels, tidal amplitudes, phases, and damping rates. The results identify three distinct periods (Pre-Development Period: 1965–1988, Transitional Period: 1989–1998, Post-Development Period: 1999–2017), which correspond to shifts in river-tide interactions, as indicated by changes in water levels and tidal amplitudes. These changes reflect alterations in effective friction, driven by the nonlinear modulation of river discharge and morphology, significantly altering the relationship between tidal damping rate and river discharge. This regime shift suggests a significant transformation in the balance between riverine and tidal forces, especially in the transverse channels, highlighting their roles in flood regulation and tidal storage. The successful application of the R_TIDE in the PRD provides insights for sustainable water resources management and highlights its potential applicability to other estuaries subject to intensive human interventions worldwide.