Search

The process of flocculation in dredge plumes was investigated by field measurements using Laser In-Situ Scattering and Transmissometry (LISST), Optical Back Scatter (OBS) sensors and an Acoustic Current Doppler Profiler (ADCP) during dredging campaigns in Port Curtis, Queensland (Australia). Suspended sediment characteristics differed significantly between natural ambient suspended sediment and sediment suspended by dredging as well as between sediment suspended by mechanical and hydraulic dredgers. LISST measurements enabled distinction of the suspended sediment by origin and showed that the majority of sediment particles naturally in suspension were aggregated flocs made up of multiple smaller particles. Primary particles in natural suspended sediment had a median particle size (d 50) of 8 to 14 μm, while in-situ flocs had a d 50 of 52 to 99 μm. There were both microflocs and macroflocs present in the natural suspended sediment, with the microflocs being dominant (representing 67%–80% of the flocs). Mechanical dredging resulted in the release of individual particles, microflocs and macroflocs, with the potential for a comparable percentage of macroflocs as in natural suspended sediment (11%–27% compared to 20%–33% in natural suspended sediment). Macroflocs released by mechanical dredging were likely to have originated from the seabed. During overflow from the hopper, the suspended sediment released from the hydraulic dredger had smaller flocs compared to the natural suspended sediment, with a reduction in the d 50 of in-situ flocs from 91 to 67 μm and a reduction in the proportion of macroflocs from 32% to 24%. These results indicate that larger macroflocs present on the seabed had been broken up by the hydraulic dredging, with most of the suspended sediment remaining in the form of smaller microflocs, suggesting that the flocs were not completely disaggregated by the shear-stress generated during hydraulic dredging. Ongoing aggregation of suspended sediment was shown to occur in the sediment suspended by both dredging methods within 20–25 min of the plumes being generated. This study demonstrates the importance of considering flocculation in predictive dredge plume modelling studies to prevent significantly underestimating the settling velocity and substantially over-estimating the extent and intensity of dredge plumes if flocculation is not accounted for. • Flocculation occurs in plumes generated by both mechanical and hydraulic dredging • Flocs released by mechanical dredging were comparable to natural flocs • Flocs from hydraulic dredging were smaller than natural flocs • Ongoing aggregation of flocs occurred in the plume for both dredge types [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-front transport is a vital process in the offshore transport of terrestrial materials. The factors influencing cross-front transport are multifaceted and exhibit regional variability. As important factors regulating material transport patterns in the shelf seas of eastern China, the East Asian Winter Monsoon (EAWM) and Kuroshio current (including its branches) vary on multiple time scales, yet their role in controlling offshore transport is not fully understood. In this paper, cross-front offshore transport in the North Yellow Sea is chosen to investigate the aforementioned issue using numerical simulation. By excluding other potential processes for offshore transport, frontal instability is identified as the primary mechanism for offshore transport, which is triggered by winter storms (bursts of the EAWM); hence, the intensity of offshore transport is highly associated with the strength of winter storms on synoptic scales. However, on the inter-annual scale, the intensity of offshore transport is more likely regulated by the strength of the Kuroshio current, and a warming Kuroshio facilitates offshore transport. Although the role of each factor in controlling the intensity of offshore transport is delineated, the interactive effects of the EAWM and Kuroshio current on offshore transport are quite intricate, and how to quantitatively estimate their roles on multiple time scales remains a challenge using modelling. The results obtained from this study can be applied to analyse cross-front transport throughout the eastern China seas and bear significant implications for future studies on pollutant diffusion, nutrient distribution, and sediment transport in the coastal area. • Cross-front transport around the Shandong Peninsula was revealed using a numerical model. • EAWM and Kuroshio affect the strength of cross-front transport on different time scales. • With global warming, the temperature of Kuroshio might gradually become the primary control of cross-front transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estuarine dams are constructed in estuaries for reasons such as freshwater, flood control, and navigation. By changing tidal and river properties, estuarine dams can change the circulation and sediment transport in estuaries. Previous studies have investigated the along-channel changes in flow and sediment transport, however across-channel changes due to an estuarine dam are not well understood. To increase our understanding, this study analyzed an idealized estuary using the COAWST numerical modeling system. Models of strongly stratified, partially mixed, periodically stratified, and well-mixed estuaries were run for one year. Then, the models were subject to the construction of an estuarine dam and run for another year. For each estuarine type, scenarios with an estuarine dam at x = 20, 55, and 90 km from the mouth and freshwater discharge intervals of Δt = 0.5, 3, and 7 days were investigated, and the scenarios were compared. The results indicated that the river-dominated and tide-dominated estuaries behaved differently. In river-dominated estuaries, the residual circulation tended to be inflow in the channel and outflow over the shoals due to the estuarine exchange flow, and the secondary circulation was bottom divergent due to differential advection. The exchange flow and secondary circulation were found to weaken with longer discharge interval. The sediment fluxes in the channel were dominant, and, despite the weaker exchange flow, were found to be greater and directed seaward due to strong dam discharge for long discharge intervals. In tide-dominated estuaries, the residual circulation tended to be inflow over the shoals and outflow in the channel due to the tide-induced circulation, and the secondary flow was bottom convergent due to differential advection resulting from Stokes return flow. As the estuarine dam was located nearer to the mouth, the tide-induced circulation was replaced with exchange flow, and the secondary flow became bottom divergent. The sediment fluxes in the channel were dominant in this case as well, and were determined by tidal asymmetry from the interaction of the tides with the residual current, becoming directed landward as the seaward tide-induced circulation decreased with the estuarine dam near the mouth. With respect to bed level change, gradients in along-channel sediment fluxes were found to contribute most to bed level change near the mouth and estuarine dam, whereas gradients in across-channel sediment fluxes contributed most to deposition on the estuarine shoals. This study demonstrates that estuarine dam location and discharge interval can alter estuarine transverse variability and improves our understanding compared to previous analyses based solely on along-channel processes. • River-dominated estuaries exhibited inflow in channel, outflow over shoals. • Tide-dominated estuaries exhibited inflow over shoals, outflow in channel. • Estuarine dams near mouth with large discharge interval reduced these circulations. • Tide-dominated estuaries switched from tide-induced circulation to exchange flow. • Lateral sediment fluxes contributed to shoal deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The estuaries and coastal zones of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta located at the end of the Mekong Basin are susceptible to a large variety of natural threats and human interventions such as upstream dam construction, climate change and sea level rise. In this study, we investigated sediment dynamics and morphodynamic changes in the Mekong estuaries and coastal zone, using a well-calibrated Delft3D-4 model for a 10-years period simulation. For the first time, the impacts of different drivers were distinguished to guide future adaptation strategies and policies. Our investigations pointed out that the influences of upstream sediment reduction and large-scale sand extraction would cause substantial modifications in the subaqueous delta region. Besides human-induced impacts, modeling results also showed that the sediment volume and spatial distribution changed through the simulated period according to monsoonal variation. The influence of each driver, however, not only varied in space but also time. In the flood season, the Mekong and Bassac Rivers provided a large amount of sediment (more than 90%) that was deposited on the delta front due to coastal processes. The sediment quantity transported along the coastline changed with the monsoon and was in a dominantly south-west direction due to the northeast monsoon, especially in November, December and January. As a natural process, in the estuarine region, erosion and deposition occurred alternately, but the south-west coast region (belonging to the Ca Mau peninsula) was dominated by erosion. This is because of the formation of sand bars in front of the Bassac estuaries, which influences the capacity of sediment transportation to the south-west. Consequently, navigation capacity will reduce significantly in the estuaries and coastline erosion in the Ca Mau peninsula leads to substantial loss of houses and assets of local people. Urgent actions such as stopping sand mining or modifying dam designs are needed to sustain the delta coastline. • A well-calibrated Delft3D model against observed and remote sensing data. • Sediment transport is strongly driven by both river discharges and monsoons. • Long-term sand bar formation diverted the direction of current sediment flows. • Human activities will lead to the severe recession of the delta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suspended sediment concentration (SSC) is one of the fundamental topics in sediment study. The parameterization of the SSC profile of silty sediments is still under-researched. This study focuses on the mean SSC profile for silty sediments under non-breaking wave-dominant conditions. First, inspired by a 1DV model, different types of the distribution of mean eddy viscosity were proposed, i.e., a toe-type distribution over flat bed and a constant-toe type distribution over rippled bed. Then, the time-averaged diffusion equation for suspended sediment transport was analytically solved, and expressions for the mean SSC profiles were derived. The expressions involve several basic physical processes, including the effects of bed forms, stratification, hindered settling and mobile bed. Verification using a number of experimental datasets showed that the proposed expressions can properly calculate the mean SSC for silt and are applicable for sand as well. In conclusion, this research provides an approach to estimate the mean SSC for silty sediments under wave-dominant conditions, which is expected to be applicable for engineering practice and numerical modelling. • Formulations for mean SSC (suspended sediment concentration) profile of silty sediments were derived. • Several essential physical processes were considered in the formulations. • The SSC profiles over rippled bed and hydrodynamically plane bed were simulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ measurements and ship-based resuspension experiments using annular flumes are used to determine sediment stability and critical erosion thresholds for four sites with significantly different sediment characteristics, located in the Celtic Sea at water depths of 100 m. Seasonal and spatial variability of sediment characteristics and erodability is examined, and found to be the result of changes in percentage of organic carbon in the surface sediments (R2 = 0.82) and bulk density (R2 = 0.73) respectively when individual characteristic bed parameters are considered. Principal component analysis and linear regression analysis are used to determine a predictive model for erosion threshold in the Celtic Sea (R2 = 0.99), based on grain size, sorting, kurtosis, bulk density, porosity, percentage fines, organic carbon content and chlorophyll a concentration. Physical sediment characteristics were found to be more significant controls of bed stability than biological factors. Local hydrodynamic conditions are used to determine the likelihood and frequency of resuspension given these critical erosion thresholds. Resuspension is driven by tidal currents, and is common year-round, leading to a constant re-working of bed sediments in particular at the muddier sites. This is confirmed by in situ measurements of suspended sediment concentration. • Bed erodibility in the Celtic Sea a function of organic carbon and bulk density. • Predicting erosion threshold requires emphasis on physical sediment characteristics. • Bed sediments re-worked year round by tidal resuspension, enhanced by winter waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment transport over Sandy Point dredge pit in the northern Gulf of Mexico during a cold front event in November 2014 was examined using a finely resolved numerical model. The Delft3D model was used to perform numerical experiments that simulate the effect of wind-generated waves, wind-driven currents, river discharge, and tides on sediment dynamics in Sandy Point dredge pit. The hydrodynamics and sediment models were validated and calibrated using field data of current, wave, water level, and suspended sediment concentration. Two potential sources of sediment were examined: fluvial sediment from the Mississippi River and resuspended sediments from the seabed. Results showed that during a cold front, shear stress from wave motions played a significant role in the resuspension of sediments in Sandy Point dredge pit. The maximum cold front-related wave impact on sediment resuspension could increase near-bed sediment concentration in Sandy Point dredge pit by 20–50 times. In addition, the results suggest that the primary source of sediment for Sandy Point dredge pit during a cold front was resuspension from the ambient seabed due to increased bottom shear stress by wind-induced waves and strong southward wind-driven currents. Currents dispersed sediments from the Mississippi River passes and inhibited riverine sediment supply from Sandy Point dredge pit. Results also showed that cold fronts contribute 16%–24% of the annual sedimentation in Sandy Point dredge pit. • A coupled wave-current-sediment model was used to study the sandy dredged pit. • The combined effect of waves and currents on sedimentation was assessed. • The reverse bottom current inside the pit was identified. • Bottom boundary layer was significantly affected by waves. • Sediment accumulation occurs mostly on the north of the pit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A model is proposed to determine the sediment transport rate generated by the combined action of sea waves and tidal currents, the latter being modelled as a sequence of steady currents because of the large values of the Keulegan-Carpenter number of the tidal flows, which allow to neglect inertial effects in their modelling. The hydrodynamic module solves Reynolds-averaged momentum equations by introducing a two-equation turbulence model, which considers also the flow in the region closest to the sea bottom and enforces the no-slip condition and the vanishing of the turbulent kinetic energy at the bottom without the need to assume the existence of a logarithmic velocity profile and to fix the normal derivative of the turbulent kinetic energy close to the sea bed. Hence, the evaluation of the velocity profile in the near-bed region turns out to be accurate. The sediment transport module determines the sediment concentration and sediment transport for a mixture of non-cohesive and cohesive sediments. To validate the model, its predictions are compared with laboratory measurements and field data collected over rippled beds at two different tidal estuaries. Then, results are obtained for values of the parameters chosen to mimic a site close to Punta Umbría (Huelva, Spain) and considering different hydrodynamic conditions and different sediment mixtures. The influence of the waves on the suspended sediment concentration is lower for the cohesive fraction than for the non-cohesive fraction. For all the sediment mixtures, it turns out that the cohesive fraction is well mixed over the whole water depth, meanwhile the concentration of the non-cohesive fraction has significant values only near the bottom, thus showing that an accurate description of turbulence dynamics in the buffer layer and viscous sublayer (if it exists) is important to quantify the sediment transport rate. • Sediment transport module that reproduces the concentration of cohesive fraction is presented. • Tidal current is modelled as a sequence of steady-currents due to the large values of the Keulegan-Carpenter number. • Menter's turbulence model to predict the turbulence structure both in the wave bottom boundary layer and in the core region. • Turbulence dynamics description in the buffer layer and viscous sublayer is important to quantify the sediment transport. • Applicable to any type of sediment mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lower Mekong Delta Coastal Zone (LMDCZ) is emblematic of the coastal erosion problem facing many tropical deltas. Over the last 3500 years, large river sediment fluxes expanded the delta seaward, and waves and currents formed the Ca Mau Peninsula to the southwest. Since the middle of the 20th century, the LMDCZ is affected by various human activities that include reduction of river fluxes due to damming and sand mining, land subsidence due to groundwater extraction, and reduction of protective coastal mangroves in favor of agriculture and aquaculture. Coastal erosion is observed along many sections of the delta, with a rate of up to 50 m per year in some areas. However, the role of human activities remains difficult to assess because of its complexity. The present modeling study is designed to sort out the contribution of natural hydrodynamic redistribution of sediments from man-induced erosion. The modeling system used is based on CROCO, forced by global reanalyses at the boundaries and at the surface, including wave statistics (required by the sediment transport model). Tides and realistic river forcing are also included. Calibration and validation relies on a combination of in situ and remotely-sensed observations, and laboratory experiments. Once validated, coastal dynamics are investigated by performing sensitivity experiments for both the hydro- and sediment dynamics. The results suggest that while wind is the main factor driving the coastal currents, the sediment dynamics is essentially the result of re-suspension due to wave-induced bed shear stress. The suspended sediments are then redistributed by coastal currents that are not limited to the nearshore zone. Strong seasonality of the process is observed with the northeast winter monsoon being the season of strongest re-suspension and sediment redistribution. The annual sediment budget is characterized by important local disequilibrium, with alongshore patterns that are in agreement with the observed shoreline evolution. The effect of a decrease in river sediment supply is difficult to evaluate because the estuarine zone is still in accretion, apart from the particular case of Go Cong shores. Far from the estuarine zone, subsidence is an additional strong candidate to explain erosion in areas that should naturally be accreting. Synthesizing these results, the study proposes a first attempt at a "taxonomy and geography" of processes along the coastal Mekong delta that can explain the recent observations of shoreline changes and help design protection measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estuarine environments tend to present significant salinity variations that can be relevant for hydrodynamics and sediment transport processes. In these environments salinity is usually estimated with high accuracy from conductivity, temperature, and pressure measurements using special instrumentation. However, there may be situations where it would be practical to use the information recorded by Acoustic Doppler Velocimeters (ADVs) to estimate the salinity. In this work we present how the Probe Check information saved by the Vector ADV (Nortek, Norway), may be used to estimate the water salinity. A short theoretical explanation that justifies the proposed methodology and its practical implementation are presented. The salinity estimation obtained from the ADV Probe Check data is compared with the one computed from the conductivity, temperature and pressure records of a CTD in the Río de la Plata estuary. The results showed that the proposed methodology can be confidently used to estimate the salinity in estuarine environments. • Salinity variations in estuaries were estimated with Acoustic Doppler Velocimeters. • Sound speed estimations showed a 5% standard error. • The new technique was verified during a deployment in the Rio de la Plata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sand transport dynamics under non-breaking regular waves and wave groups are studied in a large-scale wave flume. The water surface elevation, flow velocity, suspended sand concentration (SSC) distributions, and bedforms were measured over a horizontal test section of medium sand. The experiment involved five wave groups that had equal root-mean-square water surface elevation and mean period, but which differed in terms of modulation, wave group length, and short wave sequencing. In addition, three monochromatic wave conditions were generated which were equivalent to the wave groups in terms of root-mean-square water surface elevation or maximum wave height. Temporal and vertical distributions of SSC suggest a more effective sediment pumping for symmetric and backward leaning 'waxing' wave groups. Vertical distributions of the SSC phase lag indicate a more rapid vertical pumping for the short-duration wave group. Overall, the differences between wave group conditions are small and the time-averaged SSC and sediment diffusivity profiles are very similar. The total net suspended sand flux consists of current-related, long-wave-related and short-wave-related contributions that are all of similar magnitude. The net total suspended sand flux was always offshore-directed, but its magnitude depends on the vertical and temporal variation of SSC at short- and long-wave time scales. The results are used to discuss the applicability of the 'equivalent wave concept' for time-averaged SSC distributions and net suspended sand transport. • Laboratory experiment involving five wave group and three regular wave conditions. • Detailed measurements of ripple dimensions and sand suspension are presented. • Processes are studied at short-wave, wave group, and time-averaged time scales. • Different net suspended sand flux contributions are quantified. • The applicability of the equivalent wave concept for grouped waves is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A calibrated, coupled model of the Bohai and Yellow Seas is developed to investigate sediment transport and deposition processes around a distinct clinoform east of the Shandong Peninsula. On the clinoform, deposition patterns vary seasonally with the regional hydrography and the East Asian Monsoon. A local maximum in sediment deposition is located offshore from spring to autumn, whereas sediment deposition is greater near the coast and decreases seaward in winter. From spring to autumn, a thermal front develops around the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass and limits sediment transport seaward, enhancing sediment deposition and leading to high deposition rate in a focused region offshore. Sediment is transported to the region by the southward basin-scale cyclonic circulation, and the cross-shelf gradient in stratification, sediment resuspension, and vertical mixing at the front lead to a convergence in sediment transport and deposition. Sediment deposition over the clinoform is the greatest during the transition from summer to autumn when the thermal front persists but sediment supply increases. This results from weakened stratification and greater resuspension near the coast due to stronger winds, waves, and sea-surface cooling. A seasonal seaward shift of the frontal position toward deeper water is consistent with the decreasing heat flux, and the corresponding shift in location of maximum sediment deposition shifts seaward. In winter, the thermocline disappears and vertical mixing increases throughout the region. SSC over the clinoform increases due to active resuspension and net deposition decreases, and instead sediment is transported seaward and deposits in the South Yellow Sea. Current velocity, SSC and sediment deposition rates decrease seaward, in contrast to the focused trapping at the thermal front from spring to autumn. The deposition rates around the thermal front from spring to autumn are greater than in the winter, so the high net sediment accumulation over an annual cycle occurs in the same region as the longer-term accumulation preserved in the omega-shaped clinoform. • Sediment deposition rates are increased at a thermal front from spring to autumn at east of the Shandong Peninsula. • Seasonal shifts of the position of thermal front and sediment depo-center broaden the sediment accumulation region. • The monsoonal climate plays a dominant role in the seasonally varying circulation and sediment transport in the Yellow Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop an idealised one dimensional (cross-shore) morphodynamic model that couples wave, tide and sediment dynamics to study the effect and evolution of a shoreface nourishment. Sediment fluxes driven by wave skewness, wave asymmetry (both onshore) and return flow (offshore) are considered. With the aid of new analytical expressions for the skewness and standard deviation of wave velocity and acceleration, sediment fluxes are calculated. Nourishment is viewed as a perturbation to the system in equilibrium that is subject to the divergence of the perturbed sediment flux and a gravity driven diffusion term. Depending on the location, a nourishment may provide a feeder or lee effect. In moderate and mild wave conditions, the evolution of a nourishment primarily depends on the relative location of nourishment and break point. Placed well offshore of the break point, the nourishment induces an overall positive perturbation in sediment flux, resulting in onshore migration (feeder effect). Located closer to the break point, the nourishment induces an earlier wave breaking, which dissipates part of the wave energy (lee effect), leading to a negative sediment flux perturbation around this break point and a positive sediment flux perturbation around the break point of the un-nourished beach. Depending on the intensity of the earlier breaking, the nourishment either migrates onshore (weak break) or splits into onshore and offshore moving parts (strong break). The relative importance of the diffusion term and the divergence of perturbed sediment flux may lead to a primarily migrating or decaying evolution of nourishment. In storm wave conditions, the nourishment tends to move offshore due to the predominance of return flow driven sediment flux. The sensitivity to wave period and tide are also studied. Model results are consistent with observations, as well as prevailing theory on cross-shore sediment transport. • An idealised one dimensional (cross-shore) morphodynamic model that couples wave, tide and sediment dynamics is developed to study the e_ect and evolution of a shoreface nourishment. • In moderate and mild wave conditions, a nourishment placed well o_shore from the break point induces an overall positive perturbation in sediment ux, resulting in onshore migration (feeder e_ect). Located closer to the break point, the nourishment induces an earlier wave breaking, which dissipates part of the wave energy (lee e_ect), resulting in onshore migration (weak break) or splitting into onshore and o_shore moving parts (strong break). In storm wave conditions, nourishment moves o_shore due to the predominance of return-ow-driven sediment ux. • Tide a_ects nourishment evolution through shifting the relative location of the nourishment and break point. The sediment dynamics at low tide dominate the evolution of the nourishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Geochemical studies are becoming more and more frequent in the context of the increasing pressure of human activities on marine coastal ecosystems and represent an appropriate tool to assess anthropogenic disturbances. Moreover, it is difficult to find discriminant markers. The eastern part of the Bay of Seine (English Channel) is highly impacted by the presence of harbour activities, fishing and sediment extraction. Dredged sediment from the Grand Port Maritime du Havre (GPMH) are deposited at the subtidal Octeville site, in the north-eastern part of the mouth of the Seine estuary (mixed sediment area). To understand natural and anthropogenic sedimentary mechanisms in this area, a geochemical and sedimentological study was conducted at the beginning of 2016. A dense sampling campaign including 179 stations was carried out between Cap de La Hève and Cap d'Antifer. For comparison, sampling was carried out in the harbour (13 samples in basins strongly or very weakly dredged), in the dredged grab itself and in the Seine estuary sediment (one station in the brackish zone and two stations in the river freshwater zone). Elemental compositions were determined by X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry and infrared spectrometry. Using PCA (Principal Component Analysis), seven constituents were selected (Si, As, S, Pb, Rb, organic Br and TOC) to determine the area influenced by dumped spoil and the sediment transport directions. Sediment areas in dynamic equilibrium display a TOC gradient perpendicular to the coastline, linked to granulometric variations due to a combination of the swell and tidal currents. In the study area, dredged sediment are finer grained and have undergone changes due to the influence of diagenetic processes characteristic of the harbour environment. As a result, these sediment are enriched in sulphides, Pb, TOC and Rb, which allows us to highlight the in-situ deposited sediment spoil. Dumped sediment and the area subject to their influence are clearly identified since they locally disrupt the natural dynamic equilibrium state. Highlights • Dynamics of deposit sediment studied in the eastern part of the Bay of Seine (English Channel). • New methodology to study coastal sediment dynamic equilibrium using geochemical tracers. • Dynamical equilibrium is identified by two opposite organic matter gradients controlled by swell and tide. • Pattern of TOC gradients disrupted, delimit the area disturbed by the dumped dredge spoil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Accurately characterizing the spatiotemporal dynamics of residual and tidal flows is essential for understanding transport processes in tidal rivers and estuaries, as they directly affect salinity intrusion, water renewal capacity, sediment transport, and morphological evolution. This paper aims at characterizing the longitudinal and temporal variability of tidal discharges and currents in the St. Lawrence fluvial estuary (SLFE), under a wide range of river flow and tidal conditions. Tidal discharges and currents are reconstructed by cubature from nonstationary tidal analyses of water levels for a highly variable year, in terms of observed river flows, at 10 river cross-sections of the SLFE, distributed from the fluvial estuary entrance to the head of the tide. An analysis of the spatiotemporal variability in residual and tidal flows is hereby provided, with an emphasis on ebb-flood characteristics, residual currents, tidal constituent properties and tidal wave propagation characteristics at the intratidal, neap-spring and seasonal scales along the system. The main drivers and mechanisms responsible for this variability include (1) the system's hydrology and its associated watershed and meteorological characteristics, which dictate river flow intensity and seasonality, (2) the landward-travelling tides originating from the ocean, responsible for intratidal and tidal monthly variability in tides and currents, (3) nonlinear river-tide interactions, dissipating tidal energy, modulating tidal properties and inducing a surface level gradient, and (4) channel convergence and floodplain morphology, contributing to tidal asymmetry in horizontal and vertical tides. These factors ultimately influence tidal wave propagation and damping properties within estuaries, both longitudinally and at the neap-spring and seasonal scales. Highlights • Tidal discharges and currents are derived from nonstationary tidal analyses of water levels through continuity. • Drivers of flow variability include hydrology, ocean tides, river-tide interactions, and channel and floodplain morphology. • Flood velocities reduce in presence of tidal flats and respond the most strongly to changes in river flow during neap tides. • Flow duration asymmetry is temporally lagged with respect to tidal duration asymmetry due to neap-spring storage effects. • Fortnightly variations in tidal damping are driven by changes in friction closely linked to the neap-spring reversal of LW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The spatial and temporal variability of upwelling events occurring offshore northern Colombia (southern Caribbean Sea) on seasonal and intraseasonal time scales is analysed in detail for the period 01/1993–12/2015 using high-resolution oceanic and atmospheric reanalysis products. Different methods are applied that together allowed us to identify the upwelling and relaxation events observed in this area and to explain the main dynamic processes that occur within the annual cycle. In this region, the wind impulse directly determines the intensity and occurrence of upwelling. This upward motion can be full, with a clear surface signal during the months of intense northeast winds, or it can be partial during the rainy season, when winds weaken, and cold subsurface waters do not rise to the sea surface. There is evidence of onshore geostrophic flow affecting the Ekman dynamics when the wind impulse is low during the peak of the rainy season. Short-term atmospheric perturbations that interrupt the upwelling process for several days in La Guajira were characterised. On occasions, cold fronts associated with the intrusion of winds from the north (Nortes), and warm fronts associated with air masses coming from the eastern tropical Pacific, induce a favourable downwelling condition in the upper layer off La Guajira. During these short relaxation periods, the mixed layer is warm, and the relatively cold subsurface isotherms are located at greater depths due to the onshore transport of surface waters. Highlights • We examined active/quiescent upwelling events in the La Guajira system at different scales. • High-resolution oceanic and atmospheric reanalysis were used in the three-dimensional analysis of upwelling. • Several indices were applied to identify the evolution of each upwelling event. • We provide further insights towards understanding the local mechanisms interrupting upwelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Sediment transport past rocky headlands has received less attention compared to transport along beaches. Here we explore, in a field-based study, possible pathways for sediment movement adjacent to Point Dume, a headland in Santa Monica Bay, California. This prominent shoreline feature is a nearly symmetrical, triangular-shaped promontory interior to the Santa Monica Littoral Cell. We collected current, wave, and turbidity data for 74 days during which several wave events occurred, including one associated with a remote hurricane and another generated by the first winter storm of 2014. We also acquired sediment samples to quantify seabed grain-size distributions. Near-bottom currents towards the headland dominated on both of its sides and wave-driven longshore currents in the surf zone were faster on the exposed side. Bed shear stresses were generated mostly by waves with minor contributions from currents, but both wave-driven and other currents contributed to sediment flux. On the wave-exposed west side of the headland, suspended sediment concentrations correlated with bed stress suggesting local resuspension whereas turbidity levels on the sheltered east side of the headland are more easily explained by advective delivery. Most of the suspended sediment appears to be exported offshore due to flow separation at the apex of the headland but may not move far given that sediment fluxes at moorings offshore of the apex were small. Further, wave-driven sediment flux in the surf zone is unlikely to pass the headland due to the discontinuity in wave forcing that causes longshore transport in different directions on each side of the headland. It is thus unlikely that sand is transported past the headland (specifically in a westerly direction), although some transport of finer fractions may occur offshore in deep water. These findings of minimal sediment flux past Point Dume are consistent with its role as a littoral cell boundary, although more complex multi-stage processes and unusual events may account for some transport at times. Highlights • Currents, waves, and sediment transport were measured around a prominent headland. • Currents over 74 days were apex-ward on each side and reversing at the point. • Sand and mud transport are likely decoupled with sand ejected offshore. • Two flow separation regimes are proposed from current patterns around the point. • The headland is a likely littoral cell boundary for some sediment fractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The processes of sediment entrainment, transport, and deposition over bedforms are highly dynamic and temporally and spatially variable. Obtaining measurements to understand these processes has led to ongoing developments in instrumentation for studying near-bed sediment dynamics, with the outputs applied to the development and assessment of sediment transport modelling. In the present study results are reported from three acoustic systems deployed to make observations of bedforms, bedload, suspended concentration and horizontal and vertical velocity components. To evaluate the instruments a series of near-bed boundary layer measurements were collected in a large scale flume facility over a rippled bed of medium sand under regular waves. The observations were conducted as part of Joint Research Activities within the EU funded Hydralab project. The suite of acoustic instruments consisted of a Bedform And Suspended Sediment Imager, BASSI, a three dimensional acoustic ripple profiler, 3D-ARP, and three Acoustic Concentration and Velocity Profilers, ACVP's. Here results are reported from the deployment of the instruments, to illustrate the ongoing developments in acoustics and the expanding capability of the application of acoustics to the study of near-bed flow and sediment dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After landing on Taiwan Island, Typhoon Morakot crossed the Taiwan Strait and made a second landfall on the western coast of the strait. In this study, we investigated the impact of Typhoon Morakot on the marine environment and explored the dynamic mechanism for enhanced cross-strait sediment transport based on remote sensing data of sea surface temperature (SST) and total suspended matter (TSM) as well as wind vector data. The results showed that the SST significantly decreased along the typhoon path, while the TSM dramatically increased, with a tongue-shaped high-TSM water extending from coasts to the middle strait during the typhoon processes. The distributions of wind and the Ekman volume transport, calculated based on the wind stress, also revealed that the typhoon process was favorable for cross-strait sediment transport. The strong cyclonic wind stress associated with the typhoon could change the existing currents pattern and destroy the water stratification, which restricts sediment resuspension, and result in significant resuspension of seabed sediments, thereby increasing suspended particle concentration and mass transport flux in waters. Moreover, the cyclonic wind stress could produce typhoon-induced currents, leading to the redistribution of particles in the strait. Comparative analysis revealed that typhoon processes crossing either the Taiwan Strait or passing over the northern strait could significantly impact the pattern of sediment transport in the strait and increase the cross-strait transport of sediments, which are important to the formation of the mud belt in the middle of the Taiwan Strait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding estuarine hydrodynamics and sediment dynamics is of key importance to provide the foundation for sound management of these coastal systems. Turbidity maxima, which are zones of elevated suspended sediment concentration (SSC), are of particular interest as they control biogeochemical cycling and affect the overall environmental quality of the estuary. These turbidity maxima, however, are complex dynamic features that respond to changes in forcing conditions. In this study we use a 3D numerical model to investigate the response of hydrosedimentary dynamics to variations in river inflow and sea level rise in the Gironde estuary, which is one of the largest estuarine systems in Europe. Yearly simulations and comparisons with satellite data and measurements of salinity and SSC show that the model reproduces variations in salinity intrusion and the migration of the turbidity maximum driven by seasonal fluctuations in river inflow. Numerical experiments indicate that the formation of this dynamic turbidity maximum is mainly driven by tidal asymmetry. Density gradients play a secondary role by maintaining the stability of the suspended sediment mass. The model also simulates the presence of a secondary turbidity maximum which is more stable, consistent with observations. Evaluation of the sediment budget shows that sediment export mainly occurs during spring tides and when river discharge is high. Simulations including sea level rise suggest that salinity levels in the middle estuary will increase and rising water levels cause tidal amplification, strengthening of tidal currents and enhanced SSC levels in the upper estuary. On the other hand, the locations of the salinity front and the turbidity maximum remain relatively stable under rising water levels. Overall, our simulations suggest that decadal changes in river inflow can potentially have a larger effect on turbidity maximum dynamics than sea level rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulating cross-shore sediment transport and associated sandbar migration is still a challenging task for phase-averaged coastal morphological models. Numerical studies have mostly relied on beach morphology prediction for calibration and validation, without examining in much detail the underlying hydrodynamics, sediment concentrations and transport rates. This paper reports on a new three-dimensional coastal morphodynamic model based on the hydrodynamic model of Zheng et al. (2017), combined with an advection-diffusion type suspended sediment transport model and the extended SANTOSS near-bed sediment transport formula of Van der A et al. (2013), to represent the key cross-shore transport mechanisms. The model is are calibrated based on comprehensive measurements from a large-scale laboratory experiment involving regular plunging breaking waves over an evolving sandbar, covering detailed comparisons on hydrodynamics, sediment suspension, transport rates, and bed level evolution. Separate validation using large scale wave flume experiments were also conducted to confirm the model's performance on different conditions. Good agreements are obtained between measurements and model results, which demonstrates the model's ability to reproduce cross-shore sediment transport processes under breaking waves correctly, given that the appropriate parameterizations for intra-wave processes are included. Model results also reveal the onshore near-bed transport is related to wave-induced near-bed streaming, wave skewness and asymmetry, and bed slope effects at different locations across the beach surface. Wave breaking-induced turbulence enhances the near-bed transport within the bed boundary layer which needs to be taken into account in order to achieve good model prediction skills. • A new phase-averaged morphodynamic model is developed to represent cross-shore sediment transport and beach morphology. • The model is calibrated based on comprehensive measurements to ensure good representation of all physical processes. • Model validation demonstrate the effectiveness of the model parameters for the related sediment transport processes. • Wave asymmetry and breaking turbulence to the near bed sediment onshore transport and resuspension is very important. • Detailed modelling of near bed process to include breaking turbulence to the sediment transport predictions is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estuarine turbidity maxima (ETMs) are of sedimentological, geomorphological and ecological significance. In this study, a well-validated and process-based sediment transport model was used to investigate the response of ETM dynamics in the Yangtze Estuary (YE) to construction of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) and morphological evolution of the YE. The model results demonstrated that the ETM dynamics change in the upper estuary was controlled by the TGD construction. After the TGD construction, the ETM area decreased by 22% (from 1116 to 874 km2) and the ETM center location moved landward 7 km during the flood season. The estuarine morphological evolution played a key role in the ETM dynamics change of the mid-lower estuary. The ETM area decreased by 55% (from 1478 to 658 km2) and 15% (from 658 to 562 km2) due to the estuarine morphological evolution from 1998 to 2010 and from 2010 to 2018, respectively. Meanwhile, the ETM center location moved landward 38 km and 7 km during the periods 1998–2010 and 2010–2018, respectively. Overall, both the TGD construction and estuarine morphological evolution induced decreased suspended sediment concentrations in the estuary. Furthermore, the effect of TGD construction was dominant in the upper estuary, whereas the effect of estuarine morphological evolution became dominant in the mid-lower estuary. These findings provide implications for management of the YE and other similar estuaries. • Estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) decreased by 22% and moved landward 7 km after Three Gorges Dam (TGD) construction. • Estuarine morphological evolution induced ETM to decrease by 15–55% and move landward 7–38 km. • TGD construction and morphological evolution dominated ETM changes in upper and mid-lower estuaries, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution describes 10 years of observed sandbar and shoreline cross-shore position variability at a meso-tidal, high energy, multiple sandbar beach. To examine relationships between the temporal variability in shoreline/sandbar position with offshore wave forcing, a simple equilibrium model is applied to these data. The analysis presented in this paper shows that the equilibrium model is skilled at predicting the alongshore-averaged, time-varying position of the shoreline (R = 0.82) and the outer sandbar position (R = 0.75), suggesting that these end members of the nearshore sediment system are most strongly influenced by offshore wave forcing in a predictable, equilibrium-forced manner. The middle and inner bars are hypothesized to act as sediment transport pathways between the shoreline and the outer bar. Prediction of these more transient features by an equilibrium model was less skilful. Model coefficients reveal that these two end members (outer bar and shoreline) in the sediment system act in opposite directions to changes in the annual offshore wave forcing. During high wave events, sediment is removed from the shoreline and deposited in the nearshore sediment system with simultaneous landward retreat of the shoreline and offshore migration of the outer sandbar. While both end member features have cycles at annual and inter-annual scales, their respective equilibrium response factor differs by almost a factor of 10, with the shoreline responding around an inter-annual mean (ϕ = 1000 days) and the outer bar responding around a seasonal mean (ϕ = 170 days). The model accurately predicts shoreline response to both mild (e.g. 2004/05, 2008/09) and extreme (e.g. 2005/06, 2009/10) winter storms, as well as their summer recovery. The more mobile and dynamic outer sandbar is well-modelled during typical winters. Summer onshore sandbar migration of the outer bar in 2005 and 2006 is under-predicted as the system transitioned between a triple (winter) and double (summer) sandbar system. The changing of the number of bars present in the system is something that this simple model cannot predict. Analysis of the data suggests that this multi-bar system adjusts its cross-shore seasonal movement when there is a significant change in the sediment supply to the system (e.g., nourishment projects, severe storms). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling the size and settling velocity of sediment under the influence of flocculation is crucial for the accurate prediction of mud movement and deposition in sediment transport modeling of environments such as agricultural streams, large coastal rivers, estuaries, river plumes, and turbidity currents. Yet, collecting accurate and high resolution data on mud flocs is difficult. As a result, models that account for the influence of flocculation on mud settling velocity are based on sparse data that often present non-congruent relationship in floc properties with basic influencers of flocculations such as suspended sediment concentration. This study examines the influence of suspended sediment concentration on floc size populations within a turbulent suspension. Specifically, the work investigates: (1) the relationship between the equilibrium floc size and suspended sediment concentration under conditions of steady concentration and turbulent shearing; and (2) the speed at which mature flocs adapt to an unsteady drop in the concentration when turbulent shear is constant. Two sets of experiments were used to investigate the target processes. All work was conducted in laboratory mixing tanks using a floc camera and a newly developed image acquisition method. The new method allows for direct imaging and sizing of flocs within turbulent suspensions of clay in concentrations ranging from 15 to 400 mg/L, so that no transfer of the sample to another settling column or imaging tank is needed. The primary conclusions from the two sets of experiments are: (1) that the equilibrium floc size in an energetic turbulent suspension is linearly and positively related to concentration over the range of C = 50 to 400 mg/L, yet with a smaller-than-expected slope based on previous data and models from low-energy environments; and (2) that floc sizes decrease quickly (with a time lag on the order of 1–15 min) to time-varying decreases in concentration at turbulent shearing of G = 50 s - 1 . Overall the data illustrate that equilibrium floc size is a positive function of concentration, but that the rate of increase is weaker than expected. The data also suggest that approximating the size or settling velocity of some muds with a simple equilibrium model might be appropriate if the time steps of interest are on the order of 10 min or larger. The data also shows the importance of calibrating historic mud settling velocity equations for accurate predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After more than 50,000 dams were built in the Yangtze basin, especially the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) in 2003, the sediment discharge to the East China Sea decreased from 470 Mt/yr before dams to the current level of ~140 Mt/yr. The delta sediment's response to this decline has interested many researchers. Based on a dataset of repeated samplings at 44 stations in this study, we compared the surficial sediment grain sizes in the southern Yangtze subaqueous delta front for two periods: pre-TGD (1982) and post-TGD (2012). External factors of the Yangtze River, including water discharge, sediment discharge and suspended sediment grain size, were analysed, as well as wind speed, tidal range and wave height of the coastal ocean. We found that the average median size of the sediments in the delta front coarsened from 8.0 µm in 1982 to 15.4 µm in 2012. This coarsening was accompanied by a decrease of clay components, better sorting and more positive skewness. Moreover, the delta morphology in the study area changed from an overall accretion of 1.0 cm/yr to an erosion of − 0.6 cm/yr. At the same time, the riverine sediment discharge decreased by 70%, and the riverine suspended sediment grain size increased from 8.4 µm to 10.5 µm. The annual wind speed and wave height slightly increased by 2% and 3%, respectively, and the tidal range showed no change trend. Considering the increased wind speed and wave height, there was no evidence that the capability of the China Coastal Current to transport sediment southward has declined in recent years. The sediment coarsening in the Yangtze delta front was thus mainly attributed to the delta's transition from accumulation to erosion which was originally generated by river damming. These findings have important implications for sediment change in many large deltaic systems due to worldwide human impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted on the northern Yucatan coast from April 1 to April 12, 2014 to investigate the role of intense wind events on coastal circulation from the inner shelf to the swash zone. The study area is characterized by a micro-tidal environment, low-energy wave conditions, and a wide and shallow continental shelf. Furthermore, easterly trade winds, local breezes, and synoptic-scale events, associated with the passage of cold-fronts known as Nortes , are ubiquitous in this region. Currents were measured concurrently at different cross-shore locations during both local and synoptic-scale intense wind events to investigate the influence of different forcing mechanisms (i.e., large-scale currents, winds, tides, and waves) on the nearshore circulation. Field observations revealed that nearshore circulation across the shelf is predominantly alongshore-directed (westward) during intense winds. However, the mechanisms responsible for driving instantaneous spatial and temporal current variability depend on the weather conditions and the across-shelf location. During local strong sea breeze events ( W > 10 m s -1 from the NE) occurring during spring tide, westward circulation is controlled by the tides, wind, and waves at the inner-shelf, shallow waters, and inside the surf/swash zone, respectively. The nearshore circulation is relaxed during intense land breeze events ( W ≈ 9 m s -1 from the SE) associated with the low atmospheric pressure system that preceded a Norte event. During the Norte event ( W max ≈ 15 m s -1 from the NNW), westward circulation dominated outside the surf zone and was correlated to the Yucatan Current, whereas wave breaking forces eastward currents inside the surf/swash zone. The latter finding implies the existence of large alongshore velocity shear at the offshore edge of the surf zone during the Norte event, which enhances mixing between the surf zone and the inner shelf. These findings suggest that both sea breezes and Nortes play an important role in sediment and pollutant transport along/across the nearshore of the Yucatan shelf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal and intra-seasonal variability of hydrodynamics and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in the Yellow Sea were investigated using combined ship measurements and physical fields extracted from the global Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HyCOM). Model-data comparison indicates that the HyCOM solutions fairly agree with the observed temperature fields, both showing strong horizontal and vertical seasonality. High SSC was observed in waters near the Chengshantou Cape and above the old Yellow River subaqueous delta in November 2012, and was coincident with enhanced velocity shear. Thermal fronts were identified in waters less than 60 m deep with their prominent appearances in November 2012, inhibiting the offshore sediment transport. The previously reported depo-center of distal Yellow River mud-patch off the Chengshantou Cape was confined between the positions of the strong velocity shear in a shoreward direction and the thermal fronts in an offshore direction. We concluded that the nearshore mixing front and the offshore thermal front play critical roles in both capture of the fine-grained suspended sediment and formation of the Omega-shaped mud patch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two- and three-dimensional Delft3D Flow and Morphology models were constructed for the lower Song Hau distributary channel of the Mekong River in Vietnam to provide insights into the hydrodynamics and sand transport of the channel system. The models were calibrated and validated with data for observed water level, water discharge, velocity, and suspended-sand concentration during the high- and low-flow seasons of 2014 and 2015. The water and sand budgets of the Dinh An and Tran De channels, the two sub-distributaries of the lower Song Hau channel, were calculated, showing that ~73% of the fluvial water discharge and ~90% of suspended sand were transported through the Dinh An channel, while the rest was transported through the Tran De channel in the high-flow season. In the low-flow season, the total fluvial water discharge was < 20% of that in the high-flow season; and ~96% of it was transported through the Dinh An channel and the rest was transported through the Tran De channel. Sand was transported from channels into the ocean in both the Dinh An and Tran De channels during the high-flow season, but from the ocean into the two channels during the low-flow season. The reversed sand flux from ocean into river channels during low-flow season was not observed in field studies. The different behaviors between models and field observations might be caused by the absence of baroclinic effects in the model set up. The Dinh An channel was found to be dominated by ebb tide, in favor of transporting water and sediment to the ocean, and the Tran De channel was dominated by flood tide. In the high-flow season, the residual currents were directed toward the ocean for both the Dinh An and Tran De channels. In the low-flow season, the magnitude of the residual currents decreased in the river channels. Under these conditions, the residual-current direction changed to be ambiguous in the Tran De channel, but remained seaward in the Dinh An channel. The low fluvial discharge combined with strong tides under very low-flow conditions can probably generate a net clockwise water circulation between the Dinh An and Tran De channels, which transports water from the ocean to the river through the Tran De channel, then back into the ocean through the Dinh An channel. The clockwise circulation pattern is likely to influence the channel evolution and impact saltwater intrusion issue in the lower Song Hau channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two field campaigns were conducted in the tidal and estuarine reach of the Sông Hậu distributary of the Mekong River to explore the dynamics of sand transport and export to the coastal ocean. This study examines variations in suspended sand concentration and net flux of suspended and bedload sand with respect to changes in discharge between the October 2014 high discharge and March 2015 low discharge season. Isokinetic measurements of suspended sand were used to calibrate a larger dataset of LISST profiles to report suspended sand mass concentrations. During the high discharge season, ebb and flood currents are a primary control on suspended sand concentrations. Ebb tidal flows are more capable of sand transport than flooding flows, due to river discharge augmenting tidal currents. Sand in suspension is primarily derived locally from bed material sand. Bedform transport estimates were limited, but suggest that bedload sand transport is less than 10% of net suspended sand flux. Very low concentrations of suspended sand sediment are found during the low discharge season. These low concentrations are likely caused by (1) a reduction in maximum ebb tide shear stresses associated with less freshwater input, and (2) mud mantling in the bed associated with upstream migration of estuarine circulation, that inhibits local sourcing (resuspension) of bed sand. Results of the observational study were used to calibrate a numerical model of annual sand flux to the ocean from all distributaries of the Mekong River. Annual sand export is estimated at 6.5 ± 1.6 Mt yr −1 . The Định An subdistributary accounts for 32% of this total while the smaller Trần Đề subdistributary accounts for only 9%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

River gauging stations are often located upriver of tidal propagation where sediment transport processes and storage are impacted by widely varying ratios of marine to freshwater influence. These impacts are not yet thoroughly understood. Therefore, sediment fluxes measured at these stations may not be suitable for predicting changes to coastal morphology. To characterize sediment transport dynamics in this understudied zone, flow velocity, salinity, and suspended-sediment properties (concentration, size, and settling velocity) were measured within the tidal Sông Hậu distributary of the lower Mekong River, Vietnam. Fine-sediment aggregation, settling, and trapping rates were promoted by seasonal and tidal fluctuations in near-bed shear stress as well as the intermittent presence of a salt wedge and estuary turbidity maximum. Beginning in the tidal river, fine-grained particles were aggregated in freshwater. Then, in the interface zone between the tidal river and estuary, impeded near-bed shear stress and particle flux convergence promoted settling and trapping. Finally, in the estuary, sediment retention was further encouraged by stratification and estuarine circulation which protected the bed against particle resuspension and enhanced particle aggregation. These patterns promote mud export (~1.7 t s −1 ) from the entire study area in the high-discharge season when fluvial processes dominate and mud import (~0.25 t s −1 ) into the estuary and interface zone in the low-discharge season when estuarine processes dominate. Within the lower region of the distributaries, morphological change in the form of channel abandonment was found to be promoted within minor distributaries by feedbacks between channel depth, vertical mixing, and aggregate trapping. In effect, this field study sheds light on the sediment trapping capabilities of the tidal river – estuary interface zone, a relatively understudied region upstream of where traditional concepts place sites of deposition, and predicts how fine-sediment dynamics and morphology of large tropical deltas such as the Mekong will respond to changing fluvial and marine influences in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mekong River Delta is one of the largest in Asia. To understand its sediment distribution, thickness, mass budget, stratigraphic sequences and sediment-transport process, extensive geophysical and geochemical surveys were conducted on the inner portions of the adjacent continental shelf. Analyses of > 80 high-resolution Chirp-sonar profiles show the Mekong River has formed a classic sigmoidal cross-shelf clinoform in the proximal areas, up to 15 m thick, with topset, foreset and bottomset facies, but constrained to water depths of < 20 m. Beyond this depth, the East Sea/western South China Sea shelf is dominated by relict silt, sand and gravel with patches of early to middle Holocene mud deposits. Parallel to shore, the Mekong-derived sediment has extended > 250 > 300 km southwestward to the tip of the Ca Mau Peninsula, forming a distal mud depocenter up to 22 m thick, and extending into the Gulf of Thailand. A large erosional trough or channel (up to 8 m deeper than the surrounding seafloor and parallel to the shore) was found on the top of the clinoform, east of the Ca Mau Peninsula. Based on the thicknesses and distribution revealed by Chirp sonar profiles, the total estimated volume of the Mekong River subaqueous clinoform on the shelf is ~120 km 3 , which is equivalent to ~120–140 × 10 9 t of sediment using an average sediment dry-bulk density of 1.0–1.2 g/cm 3 . Assuming the subaqueous deltaic deposit has formed within ~1000 yr, the calculated millennial-timescale average sediment discharge to the shelf could be 120–140 × 10 6 t per year. Spatially, the proximal subaqueous delta has accumulated ~45 × 10 9 t (~33%) of sediment; the distal part around the Ca Mau Peninsula has received ~55 × 10 9 t (~42%) of sediment; and the remaining ~35 × 10 9 t (~25%) has accumulated within the central transition area, although the coastline and shoreface in this area are presently eroding. The spatially averaged 1000-yr-scale accumulate rate is up to 2 cm/yr. Compared to other tide-dominated fluvial dispersal systems, the Mekong River system has a relatively young (≤1000 yr) subaqueous delta, a shallow rollover at 4–6 m water depth, gentle foreset gradients (0.03–0.57°), and a short cross-shelf dimension of 15–20 km within 20-m water depth. Like the Amazon, Po, and Yangtze rivers, the Mekong River has developed a pervasive along-shelf deposit, which in this case extends > 250 > 300km to the southwest as a result of the superimposed tidal processes, wave-induced resuspension, and a strong low-flow season coastal current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field studies in the Song Hau distributary of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam conducted at high (Sept.-Oct 2014) and low (March 2015) Mekong River discharge are utilized to examine channel bottom morphology and links with sediment transport in the system. Multibeam bathymetric mapping surveys over the entire channel complex in the lower 80 km of the distributary channel, and over 12- to 24-h tidal periods at six transect locations in the reach are used to characterize bottom type and change on seasonal and tidal timescales, supplemented by bottom sampling. The results of this study indicate that the largest proportion of channel floor (up to 80% of the total area) is composed of substratum outcrops of relict sediment units deposited during the progradation of the delta in the last 3.5 ka. These take the form of outcrops that are either (1) steep-sided, tabular channel floor, (2) steep-sided sidewall, or (3) relatively flat channel floor. Flatter outcrops of channel floor substratum are identified by the presence of sedimentary furrows (<0.5 m deep) incised into the channel bottom that are exposed at high discharge and oriented along channel and laterally continuous for kilometers. These furrows are persistent in location and extent across tidal cycles and appear to be incised into relict units, sometimes with a thin surficial layer of modern sediment observable in bottom grabs. The extent of substratum exposure, greater than that observed previously in low tidal energy systems like the Mississippi River, may relate both to a relatively low sand supply from the catchment, and/or to an efficient transfer of both sand and mud through this tidally energetic channel. Sand bottom areas forming dunes, comprise about 19% of the channel floor over the study area and are generally less than a few meters thick except on bar extensions of mid-channel islands. Both sandy and substratum areas are mantled by soft muds 0.25–1 m thick during low discharge in the estuarine section of the study area. This mud mantling appears to be a key control on bottom sourcing of sand to suspension. An understanding of channel bottom morphology, particularly mobility and erodibility of sediments, is valuable for setting up morphodynamic models of channel evolution that can be used to test system response to anthropogenic alterations in the catchment and rising sea levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This introduction to the special issue entitled, “Sediment- and hydro-dynamics of the Mekong Delta: from tidal river to continental shelf”, describes the setting and program design of collaborative studies with integrated field and modeling experiments in 2014–2015, along with associated research in the region. The Mekong River is among the largest on Earth in terms of water discharge, and much of the sediment delivered from the Tibetan Plateau has accumulated in the subaerial and subaqueous components of the Mekong Delta. As a group, the papers in this special issue describe the portion of the system where the sediment source signal is altered along the tidally influenced river and is delivered to the shorelines and continental shelf. The linked studies provide a holistic view of the system, and emphasize the interactions between hydrodynamics and sediment transport processes in sub-environments as sediment makes its way along the path from source to sink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluvial sediment is the major source for the formation and development of the Mekong Delta. This paper aims to analyse the dynamics of suspended sediment and to investigate the roles of different processes in order to explore flux pattern changes. We applied modelling on two scales, comprising a large-scale model (the whole delta) to consider the upstream characteristics, particularly the Tonle Sap Lake's flood regulation, and a smaller-scale model (tidal rivers and shelf) to understand the sediment processes on the subaqueous delta. A comprehensive comparison to in-situ measurements and remote sensing data demonstrated that the model is capable of qualitatively simulating sediment dynamics on the subaqueous delta. It estimates that the Mekong River supplied an amount of 41.5 mil tons from April 2014 to April 2015. A substantial amount of sediment delivered by the Mekong River is deposited in front of the river mouths in the high flow season and resuspended in the low flow season. A sensitivity analysis shows that waves, baroclinic effects and bed composition strongly influence suspended sediment distribution and transport on the shelf. Waves in particular play an essential role in sediment resuspension. The development of this model is an important step towards an operational model for scientific and engineering applications, since the model is capable of predicting tidal propagation and discharge distribution through the main branches, and in predicting the seasonal SSC and erosion/deposition patterns on the shelf, while it is forced by readily available inputs: discharge at Kratie (Cambodia), GFS winds, ERA40 reanalysis waves, and TPXO 8v1 HR tidal forcing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the role of mangrove pneumatophore roots as a spatial control over the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) dissipation rate within a natural mangrove forest. Measurements of turbulence at millimeter scales were compared with vegetation geometries reconstructed using a novel photogrammetric technique. These small-scale relationships were then averaged to show larger-scale patterns in turbulence across the mudflat and mangrove fringe-forest transition. Although turbulence estimates varied with across-shore position, TKE dissipation was always elevated in the fringe relative to mudflat and forest interior sample sites. The largest dissipation rates (4.5 × 10 −3 W kg −1 ) were measured as breaking waves propagated over canopies in very shallow water. Dissipation was reduced, but often remained intense (10 −5 –10 −4 W kg −1 ) under non-breaking waves at the fringe, likely indicating turbulent generation in pneumatophore wakes. Pneumatophore density was positively correlated with the spatial distribution of TKE dissipation. Turbulence was also correlated positively with wave height and negatively with water depth. Fringe sediments were more sandy and less muddy than sediments onshore and offshore, suggesting that the intense turbulence may lead to winnowing of fine-grained sediments at the fringe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seasonal pattern of sediment dynamics on an inner shelf characterized by the presence of sediment delivered by a small, mountainous river (with a “flash-flood” regime) was investigated. Near-bottom suspended sediment fluxes across the shelf (i.e. 20, 30 and 40 m water depth) were estimated using observations from three benthic tripods deployed from September 2007 to June 2008. Near-bottom sediment resuspension was controlled by wave-induced currents and river-born sediment availability, whereas the shelf currents played a secondary role. Fourteen sediment transport events were identified (eight in autumn, two in winter and four in spring), with transport rates according to storm intensity and sediment availability. These few energetic events induced a large percentage of the cumulative sediment transport near the bottom. However, the lack of proportionality between suspended sediment transport rates and the combined wave-current bottom shear stress in some events highlights the importance of the sequence of events in sediment dynamics. Since wave activity, hydrography and river discharges display a strong seasonal pattern in the NW Mediterranean, the resulting sediment dynamics across the shelf also correspond to a seasonal cycle. This seasonal variability leads to a temporal evolution of the bottom grain size (coarser in winter) and the near-bottom sediment transport rates (higher in spring and autumn) which is consistent with the seasonal pattern of the hydrodynamic events and the river discharge load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gulf of Alaska is a biologically productive ocean region surrounded by coastal mountains with high seasonal runoff from rivers and glaciers. In this complex environment, we measured the concentrations and size distributions of 2.5 µm–27 mm marine particles using the Laser in situ Scattering and Transmissometry device (LISST-DEEP) and the Underwater Vision Profiler 5 (UVP) during summer 2015. We analyzed the spatial distribution of particles across a wide range of size classes to determine the probable drivers. Spatially, total particle concentrations surpassed 1000 µl/l nearshore in the northeasternmost entrances and in the outflow of Cook Inlet, as well as offshore past the shelf break. These dual maxima suggest high lithogenic inputs nearshore and high biological production at and beyond the shelf break. Most large particles (> 0.5 mm) imaged by the UVP were detrital aggregates. In nearshore surface waters near river inputs, size distributions revealed small size classes (< 100 µm) to be most influential. At the shelf break, size distributions revealed a dual peak in both small (< 100 µm) and very large (> 2 mm) size classes. This study highlights the importance of lithogenic inputs from a mountainous margin to the coastal ocean and their potential to enhance sinking of biological material produced at the shelf break. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifteen monthly field surveys were conducted from September 2012 to November 2013 at ten representative stations along a cross-shore profile, covering the entire tidal flat. Results indicate that tidal currents significantly affect bed level variations over bare flats, while subsurface processes (e.g., soil subsidence and expansion) are likely to play an important role in changing the bed level of the upper intertidal flat where salt marshes are present. The cross-shore profile shows a clear double-convex shape, and different geomorphic zones display distinctive variation. Above the mean high water level (MHWL), the bed level is generally stable. The region around the MHWL, where the upper convex point is present, is a location of high sedimentation due to the weaker hydrodynamic conditions and the settling and scour lag effects, it keeps growing with the increase of inundation frequency. A concave point occurs in the middle part of the intertidal flat, showing considerable erosion. Near the mean low water level (MLWL), the lower convex point is elevated due to the long-shore tidal current and associated sediment transport (the flood dominated transport during summer exceeds the ebb dominated transport during winter, hence the net effect favors sedimentation). Further seawards, the area below the MLWL is strongly eroded. The cross-shore profile follows a “stable-accretional-erosional-accretional-erosional” sequence. Overall, the measurements indicate that the interplay among vegetation, hydrodynamics and sediment transport is critical in shaping the cross-shore morphology of the intertidal flats along the Jiangsu coast of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The U.S. Geological Survey and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration conducted geophysical and hydrographic surveys, respectively, along the inner-continental shelf of Fenwick and Assateague Islands, Maryland and Virginia over the last 40 years. High resolution bathymetry and backscatter data derived from surveys over the last decade are used to describe the morphology and presence of sand ridges on the inner-continental shelf and measure the change in the position of smaller-scale (10–100 s of meters) seafloor features. Bathymetric surveys from the last 30 years link decadal-scale sand ridge migration patterns to the high-resolution measurements of smaller-scale bedform features. Sand ridge morphology on the inner-shelf changes across-shore and alongshore. Areas of similar sand ridge morphology are separated alongshore by zones where ridges are less pronounced or completely transected by transverse dunes. Seafloor-change analyses derived from backscatter data over a 4–7 year period show that southerly dune migration increases in magnitude from north to south, and the east-west pattern of bedform migration changes ~ 10 km north of the Maryland-Virginia state line. Sand ridge morphology and occurrence and bedform migration changes may be connected to observed changes in geologic framework including topographic highs, deflated zones, and sand availability. Additionally, changes in sand ridge occurrence and morphology may help explain changes in the long-term shoreline trends along Fenwick and Assateague Islands. Although the data presented here cannot quantitatively link sand ridges to sediment transport and shoreline change, it does present a compelling relationship between inner-shelf sand availability and movement, sand ridge occurrence and morphology, geologic framework, and shoreline behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tide-dominated coastal plain estuaries have typically up-estuary convergent tidal channels. Analysis of estuarine characteristics indicates a dependence of the convergence length on relative tidal amplitude, relative intertidal area and river flow velocity. In order to explain these relationships we investigate a condition for continuity of net sediment transport throughout the estuary, corresponding to morphodynamic equilibrium. We show, by using an analytical solution of the tidal equations, that this condition is equivalent to a condition on the convergence length. This condition is evaluated for 21 estuaries in different regions of the world. It appears that the convergence length determined in this way can explain observed convergence lengths for the considered set of estuaries. The dependence of the convergence length on different estuarine characteristics is analysed by solving the fully coupled hydro-morphodynamic equations. We show that this dependence limits the range of variation of the tidal velocity amplitude. The analysis provides insight in the morphological response of estuaries to human interventions. The condition can easily be evaluated to yield an estimate of this response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment transport and depositional processes in the Southwest Atlantic Inner Shelf are strongly influenced by the contribution from Río de la Plata and Patos Lagoon fluvial systems. Understanding the behavior of erosive and depositional processes and bed evolution in the region is of utmost importance to address the impacts of anthropogenic activities, climate change and for navigation security. Therefore, this work aims to improve the understanding of such processes, and their temporal and spatial scales of variability. We employed the SISYPHE morphodynamic model coupled with the TELEMAC-3D hydrodynamic model to simulate the resulting depositional and erosional fluxes and the bottom evolution during a period of 8 years (2005–2012). Results indicate that during this period, depositional fluxes mostly exceeded erosional fluxes in the south of the Patos Lagoon mouth, resulting in predominantly positive bottom evolution. On the other hand, erosional fluxes exceeded depositional fluxes to the north of the Patos Lagoon mouth, resulting in predominantly negative bottom evolution. Widespread positive values of bottom evolution are observed along the northern and southern coasts off the Río de la Plata mouth, indicating a general dominance of sediment deposition over erosion. A wavelet analysis showed that fluvial discharge influences the variability of depositional process on an interannual time scale, whereas the synoptic variability is influenced by wind action. Moreover, positive ENSO periods (El Niño) are related to increased depositional fluxes, and decreased depositional fluxes during the negative phase (La Niña), with pronounced effects off Río de la Plata. • The study area presented predominantly positive bottom evolution. • Erosional fluxes exceeded depositional fluxes north of the Patos Lagoon mouth. • Positive values of bottom evolution are observed along coasts off the Río de la Plata mouth. • The fluvial discharge influences the deposition process on interannual time scale, while the wind action is related to the synoptic time scale variability. • The ENSO effect can increase the depositional fluxes during El Niño and decrease during the Niña. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typhoons frequently occur in the East China Sea, which significantly affect the material transport, marine hydrodynamics, and sedimentary environment of coastal currents in a relatively short time scale. Based on the in-situ observation and satellite remote sensing data, this paper analyzes the influence of five typhoons on the coastal currents of East China Sea in 2019 during different seasons. The typhoons Lekima and Mitag, which passed directly, greatly influenced the coastal current, resulting in the disappearance of the tide signal, and stimulated the current to generate new periodic signals of 3–6 days and 1–3 days, respectively. Typically, the wind of Lekima changed the flow field of the East China Sea Coastal Current (ECSCC) from northeastward to southwestward in summer in a short period, and the southwestward volume transport of the ocean current was 4 times that during periods without typhoon occurrence. The remaining water levels of the Haimen, Jiantao, and Damutu tidal level stations showed maximum water level increases during the observation period, whose values were 1.89, 1.26, and 0.90 m, respectively. Mitag only caused a northeastward current transport during autumn, and the water levels of tidal level stations along the coast increased by more than 0.5 m. However, weak and distant typhoons (Danas, Lingling, and Tapah) caused relatively small changes in ocean currents, along with the corresponding change in water transport and deposition. The results show that local wind accompanying typhoons is the main factor affecting the evolution (destruction and reconstruction) of the coastal current system. Therefore, the evolution of the ECSCC under different typhoons can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of typhoons with different paths and intensities on the coastal current. [Display omitted] • The destruction and reconstruction of coastal current by typhoons was studied. • The coastal current system was destroyed by typhoons passing directly through. • The tide signal of coastal current disappeared and a new signal established. • Water level and sediment transport dramatic varied during typhoons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macro-tidal estuaries with mountain streams are typical estuarine systems in southeastern China. Suspended sediment transport and turbidity maxima are sensitive to changes in the tidal and fluvial regimes of estuaries. To improve our understanding of river-ocean interactions and thus improve estuarine forecasts for biogeochemical processes, we developed a high-resolution hydrodynamic and sediment transport coupled model to investigate the suspended sediment transport and estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) in the Oujiang Estuary. This estuary is characterized as a macro-tidal estuarine system with a large tidal range and drastic fluctuations in freshwater and sediment discharge. The results led to the following conclusions: (1) the ETM occurred during spring tides due to strong tidal resuspension. In contrast, it was not formed during the neap tide because of weak bottom shear stress. The ETM moves upstream to Yanmen during low river discharge and migrates downstream to the river mouth during high river discharge, causing sediment deposition in the nearshore region. (2) Owing to the characteristics of mountain streams and upstream anthropogenic reservoirs, the ETM is strengthened during low river discharge (∼100 m3 s−1) even during the wet season, which supplements the fact that the ETM is more prevalent during the dry season and withers during the wet season. The suspended sediment forming the ETM mainly originates from shallow offshore shoals owing to tidal resuspension. Owing to the weak vertical exchange flow near the river mouth, the ETM is related to the exchange flow during the low water flow. (3) The ETM excursion shows semi-diurnal variability with different transport distance for high and low river discharges. Tidal pumping dominates the suspended sediment flux in the core of the ETM, which is mainly maintained by two components of the Euler and Stokes fluxes as the tidal energy depletes during the flood tide. • Estuarine modeling was conducted to study suspended sediment dynamics. • ETM excursion occurs for high and low river. • Decomposing sediment fluxes reveals ETM mechanisms. • River discharge and tidal pumping play roles on ETM formations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of sediment transport pathways is important for coastal management as well as for offshore infrastructure such as wind farms and other renewable energy installations. Here a three-way coupled model of tides, waves and sediment dynamics is presented, which extends the approach of Davies and Robins (2017) for the prediction of the locally-varying seabed roughness k s resulting from the interaction between the flow (tides and waves) and the bed sediment (grain size mixture) subject to wave-current interaction (WCI) at the seabed. The model was applied to the North Wales coastal area, with particular emphasis on an extensive shore-connected sand bank (Constable Bank), the stability of which was investigated through the study of residual sediment circulation patterns. Multi-beam (MBES) and seabed rig (AWAC) observations have allowed validation of the predicted k s and hydrodynamics, respectively. With due allowance for the supply of mobile sediment, the agreement between predicted k s and observed bedform height was generally good. The model has been used to determine residual velocities and sediment pathways, both with and without wave effects included. Wave influence and WCI are predominant in nearshore areas, affecting the magnitude and direction of the residual fluxes. A key modelling outcome offshore is a clockwise residual circulation pattern for water and sediment around the end of Constable Bank, set within a generally eastward net drift of sediment in the wider study area. • Sediment pathways predicted using a novel 3-way-coupled tide-wave-sediment model. • Coastal area flow modelled with temporally/spatially varying bed roughness. • Implementation in Telemac of wave-current interaction at the seabed. • Comparison between MBES-observed and Telemac-predicted physical bed roughness. • Residual flow and transport predicted highlighting a shore-connected sandbank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea ice is an important vehicle for sediment transport in the Arctic Ocean. On the Laptev Sea shelf (Siberian Arctic) large volumes of sediment-laden sea ice are formed during freeze-up in autumn, then exported and transported across the Arctic Ocean into Fram Strait where it partly melts. The incorporated sediments are released, settle on the sea floor, and serve as a proxy for ice-transport in the Arctic Ocean on geological time scales. However, the formation process of sediment-laden ice in the source area has been scarcely observed. Sediment-laden ice was sampled during a helicopter-based expedition to the Laptev Sea in March/April 2012. Sedimentological, biogeochemical and biological studies on the ice core as well as in the water column give insights into the formation process and, in combination with oceanographic process studies, on matter fluxes beneath the sea ice. Based on satellite images and ice drift back-trajectories the sediments were likely incorporated into the sea ice during a mid-winter coastal polynya near one of the main outlets of the Lena River, which is supported by the presence of abundant freshwater diatoms typical for the Lena River phytoplankton, and subsequently transported about 80 km northwards onto the shelf. Assuming ice growth of 12–19 cm during this period and mean suspended matter content in the newly formed ice of 91.9 mg l −1 suggests that a minimum sediment load of 8.4×10 4 t might have been incorporated into sea ice. Extrapolating these sediment loads for the entire Lena Delta region suggests that at least 65% of the estimated sediment loads which are incorporated during freeze-up, and up to 10% of the annually exported sediment load may be incorporated during an event such as described in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment transport in the source-to-sink systems of the northern South China Sea (SCS) has been of increasing interest during the past few decades. However, the mechanisms for sediment redistribution remain unclear. Sources and transport patterns in the northern SCS were investigated in this study based on grain size analyses of 205 surface sediment samples. Detailed characterizations of hydrodynamic conditions and sediment transport have been made using the log-ratio method to partition grain size components of surface sediments in the northern SCS. Results reveal that sediment dispersal patterns in the region generally contain traction, saltation, graded and uniform suspension modes. Based on the spatial distribution characteristics, the study area can be classified into three hydrodynamic provinces. Province A contains high traction concentrations that are exposed to the longshore current and topographic features, which are distributed in the Taiwan Shoal, Dongsha Islands and extends from the Pearl River estuary to the southeast of Hainan Island. Province B is characterized by higher values of saltation and graded suspension, which are widespread along the northern slope of the SCS, and its formation is interpreted as the result of interactions between down- and along-slope processes. Province C reaches its greatest concentration in the abyssal areas, particularly in the vicinity of Luzon Island, which settles only under calm conditions. Combined with previous data concerning magnetic susceptibility distributions of surface sediments from the northern SCS, the sediment transport route near the mainland is traced. Furthermore, based on distribution pattern of sortable silts and hydrodynamic provenance of the terrigenous sediments, the sediment transport route in the deep water region of the northern SCS is outlined. It flows along marginal channels which cut across the continental slope along isobaths. Taken together, the combination of grain-size components and sortable silts of surface sediment used here is a promising tool to better assess the modern variability of hydrodynamic conditions and transport processes in marine environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines whether or not mixes of clay and silt in a turbulent suspension act and settle independent of each other. More specifically, we examine the following three questions: (1) does the presence of silt in suspension alter the size of mud flocs relative to those from a pure clay suspension of equivalent concentration? (2) can silt particles become bound inside clay flocs?; and (3) if silt is bound within flocs, how does this change the settling properties of the clay and silt mixture? These questions are explored through a series of laboratory experiments in which: (a) images of flocs and silt particles within the turbulent suspension are used to measure their size distribution as a function of time; and (b) the settling velocity of the individual aggregates from each of the suspensions are measured in a settling column. The experiments use pure clay, pure silt, and two different mixture ratios of silt and clay. The results show three primary conclusions. First, the presence of silt has no significant impact on floc size. Second, most of the silt in suspension became bound up within the floc aggregates. And third, the bound silt within the flocs increased the floc settling velocity by at least 50%. These results have potential implications for the modeling of suspended mud mixtures in rivers, estuaries, and turbidity currents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hurricane Sandy was one of the most destructive hurricanes in US history, making landfall on the New Jersey coast on October 30, 2012. Storm impacts included several barrier island breaches, massive coastal erosion, and flooding. While changes to the subaerial landscape are relatively easily observed, storm-induced changes to the adjacent shoreface and inner continental shelf are more difficult to evaluate. These regions provide a framework for the coastal zone, are important for navigation, aggregate resources, marine ecosystems, and coastal evolution. Here we provide unprecedented perspective regarding regional inner continental shelf sediment dynamics based on both observations and numerical modeling over time scales associated with these types of large storm events. Oceanographic conditions and seafloor morphologic changes are evaluated using both a coupled atmospheric-ocean-wave-sediment numerical modeling system that covered spatial scales ranging from the entire US east coast (1000 s of km) to local domains (10 s of km). Additionally, the modeled response for the region offshore of Fire Island, NY was compared to observational analysis from a series of geologic surveys from that location. The geologic investigations conducted in 2011 and 2014 revealed lateral movement of sedimentary structures of distances up to 450 m and in water depths up to 30 m, and vertical changes in sediment thickness greater than 1 m in some locations. The modeling investigations utilize a system with grid refinement designed to simulate oceanographic conditions with progressively increasing resolutions for the entire US East Coast (5-km grid), the New York Bight (700-m grid), and offshore of Fire Island, NY (100-m grid), allowing larger scale dynamics to drive smaller scale coastal changes. Model results in the New York Bight identify maximum storm surge of up to 3 m, surface currents on the order of 2 ms −1 along the New Jersey coast, waves up to 8 m in height, and bottom stresses exceeding 10 Pa. Flow down the Hudson Shelf Valley is shown to result in convergent sediment transport and deposition along its axis. Modeled sediment redistribution along Fire Island showed erosion across the crests of inner shelf sand ridges and sedimentation in adjacent troughs, consistent with the geologic observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3D sediment transport model based on the modified environmental fluid dynamics code (EFDC) and the nearshore waves simulation model (SWAN) is developed to study the change of suspended sediment concentration and bottom shear stress under the actions of pure current and wave-current. After being validated by the field measured data, the proposed sediment transport model is applied in the Oujiang River Estuary, China. The results show that the ratios of both bottom shear stress and suspended sediment concentration of pure current to those of wave-current show a gradually increase from shallow nearshore water to deep open sea. The results also show that the proportion of wave contributions on bottom shear stress and sediment concentration are above 60%, approximately 20-30% and less than 10% for the water depth of less than 5 m, 5-10 m and more than 20 m, respectively. For the waters among islands, the proportion of wave contribution to bottom shear stress and sediment concentration is reduced to 10-20% for -5 m water depth and this is more obvious for the waves of large amplitude. The bottom stress and suspended sediment concentration between islands are mainly controlled by tidal current, and the effect of wave is not significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes the concept of a significant transport rate, in coastal environments that contains different spatial and temporal scales and multiple interacting forces (e.g., waves, tides, wave-current, and wind density currents) as well as, the complex physical processes of total-load sediment which is not easy to calculate for practical needs due to restricted range of applicability. The present study develops a unified classical formula for non-cohesive total-load sediment transport in marine coastal zones by using dimensional analysis and self-similarity concepts where a set of independent variables considered. A dataset of total-load collected at both field observation stations and from the laboratory flume conditions and the six well-known relevant formulas were used to evaluate the predictive capability of the proposed formula. Since the results show that, the new formula is in good agreement with both field and flume data sets measures, the authors are suggesting the use of it for the sediment-carrying capacity predictions of total-load sediment transport in marine coastal zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]