A finite element model for the Venice Lagoon. Development, set up, calibration and validation

The development, calibration and validation of a two-dimensional finite element model for the Venice Lagoon is described. The model uses a staggered grid for the spatial integration of the water levels and velocities. A semi-implicit numerical time stepping scheme is implemented, which guarantees unconditional stability for the gravity wave propagation. Because of the shallow depths in the lagoon, the model deals also with areas where flooding and drying occur. A first calibration of the model has been performed against harmonic constants of 12 tide gauges located in the lagoon. After this calibration, model output shows a good agreement with a set of water level data referring to a period of calm winds and to another data set of water level data measured in 38 stations during a period of strong winds. Meteorological data and river discharges are used to set up a 1-year long simulation that models the salinity and temperature fields. The temperature time evolution is well simulated. Comparison of model output to salinity data is not straightforward, since input data for the main rivers that discharge freshwater into the lagoon is not available for the year of reference. However, yearly averages of observed values of salinity are in a reasonable agreement with results of a climatological simulation. The presented model shows good propagation of the tidal wave and stability characteristics. It is the first step for a comprehensive model of the Venice Lagoon that deals not only with hydrodynamic variables, but also with sediment transport and ecological processes.