Applicability of a numerical model to predict distribution of suspended sediment concentration in Dithmarschen Bight

The main concern of this investigation is to evaluate the ability of the delft3d- ow package in studying the distribution of suspended sediment concentration (ssc) over the depth in the dithmarschen bight. the area consists of tidal channels and tidal ats, with a prevailing semi-diurnal tide, and is tidally dominated. required field data were prepared using the data collected by a transmissometer and a mechanical sampler. a factor of two of the measured ssc was used to evaluate the performance of the model, and some dissimilarity was found between the modeled and measured ssc. to verify the reason, two comparing procedures were carried out. first, evolutions of the vertical profile of the ssc from the model and the field were prepared and compared. in another procedure, snapshots of the distribution of ssc during different phases of a tidal cycle were prepared for both model results and field data. it was found that the predicted ssc values are in good agreement with field data during the periods of ood phase and low slack water. however, spatial dissimilarities are observed during the periods of high slack water and the ebb phase. an insufficient supply of sediment from the tidal at predicted by the model was considered to be responsible.