Implementation and validation of a 3D regional ocean model CROCO for sediment transport purposes in NW Iberian continental shelf

Implementation and validation of a 3D regional ocean model CROCO for sediment transport purposes in NW Iberian continental shelf | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Implementation and validation of a 3D regional ocean model CROCO for sediment transport purposes in NW Iberian continental shelf Marili Viitak, Rita Nolasco, Nicolás Villacieros-Robineau, Paulo A. Silva, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6322401/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 20 Mar, 2026 Read the published version in Ocean Dynamics → Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study examines ocean circulation, waves, and suspended sediment transport on the high-energy, upwelling-dominated Northwest Iberian Margin. Using the 3D oceanic numerical model CROCO (v1.0) with an integrated sediment transport module, a high-resolution simulation from November 2008 to December 2009 was conducted. Coupled offline with 2D spectral wave and atmospheric models, the system was validated against in situ observational data, showing good agreement in wave field evolution and mean circulation patterns. Performance metrics demonstrate results comparable to or better than similar studies, confirming its effectiveness. The successful validation of the forcing terms, driving the sediment dynamics, allowed the representation of different processes controlling the sediment transport and their interrelationship. The sediment transport model depicted relatively satisfactorily the seasonal dynamics of the sediment transport patterns, controlled by the intensity of the wave and current activity. This study is among the first to apply CROCO to sediment transport in a coastal domain, integrating realistic wave fields and sediment bed grain size distributions. Modifications to the source code, detailed in supplementary materials, enhance CROCO’s applicability to coastal sediment transport studies. This numerical framework provides a valuable tool for advancing sediment transport and coastal dynamics research, aiding regional marine management and conservation efforts. Regional ocean modelling CROCO/ROMS SWAN sediment transport upwelling Bottom Boundary Layer Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 20 Mar, 2026 Read the published version in Ocean Dynamics → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 08 Oct, 2025 Reviews received at journal 03 Oct, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 05 Sep, 2025 Reviews received at journal 15 Apr, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 05 Apr, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 01 Apr, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 01 Apr, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 27 Mar, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 27 Mar, 2025 First submitted to journal 27 Mar, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6322401","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":443503656,"identity":"8c6073d4-6e2f-4013-b480-722cb695c898","order_by":0,"name":"Marili Viitak","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA7UlEQVRIie3QMQrCMBSA4TwKuhS6KngID+BNutQDvL2DyguCLj1AQalX0MU5EmiXoKvg0u4OunVwMC0VXNrqJph/CCHkS5oyZjL9YhYQY6KYAReeX6xY1EY4VYSEp16HNAcV0ZfBolpoaphYyzRXzHVWkkQWTV1nqUnu7+uJBM6DM8PwOCYx3icYSiAI1KWW9Of6LfaNISkoSIykiQWLZsIfmmxKso5x00Yc/cfmtv6wbUlogttPyGqgergriBcL3GlyaHpLx0nS+zUeYaS6WZZPZhid5CHN/XpS1XtNZDmKtv3vzb7ZbDKZTH/SE0ixZl7lHZ5kAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"University of Aveiro","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Marili","middleName":"","lastName":"Viitak","suffix":""},{"id":443503657,"identity":"c7506b37-3ca2-4dca-ad52-124ffcc1e50d","order_by":1,"name":"Rita Nolasco","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Rita","middleName":"","lastName":"Nolasco","suffix":""},{"id":443503659,"identity":"42465092-a3e1-46f3-8751-f78a9014f115","order_by":2,"name":"Nicolás Villacieros-Robineau","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Nicolás","middleName":"","lastName":"Villacieros-Robineau","suffix":""},{"id":443503661,"identity":"9668b8ef-3670-4be5-84df-e2181da1c3aa","order_by":3,"name":"Paulo A. 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