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Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code, a numerical estuarine and coastal ocean circulation hydrodynamic and eutrophication model, was used to simulate the distributions of dissolved oxygen (DO), salinity, water temperature, and nutrients in the Caloosahatchee River Estuary. Modeled DO, salinity, and water temperature were in good agreement with field observational data from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and South Florida Water Management District. Sensitivity analyses identified the effects of fiver discharge, atmospheric winds, and tidal forcing on the spatial and temporal distributions of DO. Simulation results indicated that vertical mixing due to wind forcing increased the bottom DO concentration. River discharge enhanced stratification in deep locations but propagated vertical mixing in the shallow upper estuary. Finally, tidal forcing heavily influenced bottom layer DO concentrations throughout the whole fiver estuary. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0000239 CE Database subject headings: Coastal processing; Oceans; Dissolved oxygen; Estuaries; Florida. Author keywords: Caloosahatchee; EFDC; Coastal ocean; Dissolved oxygen.

Environmental fluid dynamic code (EFDC), a numerical estuarine and coastal ocean circulation hydrodynamic model, was used to simulate the distribution of the salinity, temperature, nutrients, and dissolved oxygen (DO) in Perdido Bay and adjacent Gulf of Mexico. External forcing factors included the coupled effects of the astronomical tides, river discharge, and atmospheric winds on the spatial and temporal distributions of salinity and DO. Modeled time series were in good agreement with field observations of water level, nutrients, temperature, salinity, and DO. Perdido Bay and adjacent northern Gulf of Mexico coasts can be divided into two areas according to salinity, water level, and DO concentrations. The first area was lower Perdido Bay and the associated Gulf of Mexico coasts, acting primarily under the influence of tidal forcing, which increases the vertical stratification. The second division was upper Perdido Bay, which was influenced by both tidal forcing and freshwater inflow. Simulations also indicated winds influenced the salinity and DO distributions, with an enhanced surface pressure gradient. Tidal effects were also important for conducting salinity and water quality simulations in Perdido Bay. Low amplitude tides induced relatively weak vertical mixing and favored the establishment of stratification at the bay, especially along deeper bathymetry. Flood tides influenced the distribution of salinity and DO more than ebb tides, specifically along shallow bathymetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]