Ecology and Marine Modelling

Terrestrial Ecology

WKC Group has extensive experience in undertaking Terrestrial Ecology Surveys throughout the Middle East. WKC utilise a variety of survey techniques including;

• Day and night surveys
• Specialised trapping programmes
• Camera traps

Marine Ecology

WKC aims to provide holistic data sets through the parallel use of remote technology and on-site surveys. Up-to-date knowledge of modern survey techniques ensures that we tailor every project to the needs of both the client and the environment. WKC also has the ability to design and implement water quality sampling programmes for a variety of situations using both in-situ and ex-situ techniques.

WKC is uniquely positioned to be able to combine both detailed survey work with comprehensive impact assessment. Our impact assessment tools include, amongst others, the highly sophisticated range of MIKE marine modelling systems providing an effective combination of local field expertise with powerful desktop oceanographic simulation techniques.

WKC utilises specialist marine modelling software to predict plume geometry and mixing behaviour from a diverse range of effluent discharge types including:

• Industrial wastewater discharges containing conservative and non-conservative pollutants
• Cooling water discharges with elevated temperatures
• Desalination plant discharges with elevated brine concentrations
• Dredge and drill cuttings (suspended sediments)

The modelling systems currently being used include CORMIX for near-field applications, and the MIKE suite of modelling applications for more complex or far-field situations.

The MIKE2/3 software package (developed by DHI) is a powerful and versatile tool in simulating physical, chemical or biological processes in coastal and marine areas.  The MIKE21/3 Flow Model (FM) Hydrodynamic Module (HD) is a general numerical modelling system for the simulation of water level variations and associated flows.  The software is able to simulate unsteady three-dimensional flows in fluids considering variable bathymetry, tidal forcing, wind forcing, baroclinic forcing and atmospheric influence.

The software also incorporates near-field simulations which can accurately simulate the ‘jet’ phase of the effluent (where the effluent momentum influences trajectory and mixing behaviour). These near-field simulations are linked with the MIKE FM HD module, enabling the influence of ambient currents on ‘jet’ behaviour to be simulated at the same temporal and spatial resolution as the hydrodynamic model.

With the MIKE FM HD module acting as the core module, additional modules can be used as required to simulate advection and dispersion of cooling water and brine discharges,  conservative and non-conservative pollutants, particulates and turbidity, oil spills, coastal erosion and sedimentation and ecological/biological processes.

These modelling systems can be used in a wide variety of applications including:

• Optimising outfall design
• Determining regulatory compliance with mixing zone radius limits
• Providing input into marine ecology impact assessments
• Oil spill assessments
• Determining dilution factors for input into discharge hazard and risk assessments
• Determination of the potential for recirculation of cooling water into the inlet of the cooling water system