In this paper, the hydrodynamics on seedlings of halophytic plants around a salt marsh cliff are discussed focusing on vortices in front of the cliff based on PTV measurement and a numerical model. A PTV method is developed in a unique way in this study. The result of the PTV experiment reveals the internal water particle movement around the salt marsh cliff and shows the existence of a vortex in front of the cliff. The vortex occurs because of the flow separation on the stepped bottom. The vortex might give negative impact to the seedlings of salt marsh plants, therefore the strength and the position of the vortex is investigated by a numerical model. By comparing with the result of PTV it is found that the numerical model is capable of showing the internal movement and is also successful in showing the vortex in front of the cliff. In the case studies, the influences of different topography and wave conditions on vertices in front of the cliff were investigated. From this study it is found that high waves and long period waves produce vortices which can be dangerous to the seedlings.
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