Wave induced hydrodynamic field around the long submerged groin of the Latina(Italy) nuclear power plant

The XBeach numerical model was used to study the nearshore circulation patterns around the submerged cooling system of the Latina nuclear power plant. The bathymetry survey of the area revealed the presence of a rip canyon on the East flank of the structure. This structure, 700 m long and made up of two submerged pipelines covered by a submerged rubble mound, extends to -6 m isobath. It could be considered, from a morphological point of view, a “long submerged groin”, being the local closure depth of about 8 m. Numerical simulations of an idealized bathymetry with a submerged groin were conducted in order to confirm the formation of a rip current on the East flank of the structure, which causes loss of sediment seaward. The study reveals that the circulation mainly depends on the incident wave angle. It has been also demonstrated that the rip current realizes only for a limited range of wave angles.