Sediment Transport and Morphodynamics at an Estuary Mouth: a Study using Coupled Remote Sensing and Numerical Modelling
type: CreativeWork
description: The balance of the physical processes that drive the morphodynamics of a complex inlet system is investigated in this work. For this purpose, an innovative technique using coupled video imaging and numerical modelling has been used to study the relative importance of the driving forces that control the sandbar dynamics at the Teignmouth inlet system. The sandbars that form the ebb tidal delta are highly dynamic, leading to a cyclic morphological behaviour. Application of the numerical model (MIKE21 HD, NSW, ST) served two separate functions. The hydrodynamic model has been used for the image processing and, combined with the sediment transport module, the full model has been used to understand the relative importance of the driving forces at the region. The iterative application of the hydrodynamic model and the video images, with the modelled water levels used as input to the image processing, provides the video-based intertidal morphology that is used in further modelling experiments. This loop is repeated several times during the three-year study period that covered a complete morphological cycle. This results in a quantitative assessment of the relative influence of the key processes that control the environment and in initial steps towards the prediction of its evolution. In order to assess the relative importance of the driving forces a series of modelling experiments were designed to include a variety of forcing conditions. These include the tidal range, wave conditions and river discharge values. The relative importance of each of the physical processes on the sediment transport and consequent morphodynamics varies across the region. The main inlet channel is dominated by tidal action that directs the sediment transport as a consequence of the varying tidal flow asymmetry, resulting in net offshore transport. Sediment transport over the shoals and secondary channels at both sides of the main channel is dominated by wave related processes, displacing sediment…
abstract: The balance of the physical processes that drive the morphodynamics of a complex inlet system is investigated in this work. For this purpose, an innovative technique using coupled video imaging and numerical modelling has been used to study the relative importance of the driving forces that control the sandbar dynamics at the Teignmouth inlet system. The sandbars that form the ebb tidal delta are highly dynamic, leading to a cyclic morphological behaviour. Application of the numerical model (MIKE21 HD, NSW, ST) served two separate functions. The hydrodynamic model has been used for the image processing and, combined with the sediment transport module, the full model has been used to understand the relative importance of the driving forces at the region. The iterative application of the hydrodynamic model and the video images, with the modelled water levels used as input to the image processing, provides the video-based intertidal morphology that is used in further modelling experiments. This loop is repeated several times during the three-year study period that covered a complete morphological cycle. This results in a quantitative assessment of the relative influence of the key processes that control the environment and in initial steps towards the prediction of its evolution. In order to assess the relative importance of the driving forces a series of modelling experiments were designed to include a variety of forcing conditions. These include the tidal range, wave conditions and river discharge values. The relative importance of each of the physical processes on the sediment transport and consequent morphodynamics varies across the region. The main inlet channel is dominated by tidal action that directs the sediment transport as a consequence of the varying tidal flow asymmetry, resulting in net offshore transport. Sediment transport over the shoals and secondary channels at both sides of the main channel is dominated by wave related processes, displacing sediment…
author: Siegle, Eduardo
language: eng
date published: 2003-01-01T08:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-24T03:48:35Z
provider: University of Plymouth
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Plymouth