Processes Controlling Transfer of Fine-Grained Sediment within and Between Channels and Flats on Intertidal Flats

Abstract

A long-term goal of our sediment transport and accumulation investigations is to link sediment transport processes to the formation and preservation of event beds in sediment deposits. The general goal of this project is to investigate how forcing processes (e.g., tidal asymmetry, winds, river discharge and biological activity) affect the sediment-transport dynamics that act to import finegrained sediment. The resulting product is the formation of mud-flat environments with complex morphology (e.g., multiple scales of tidal channels, differing geotechnical and textural characteristic of flats). This project investigates processes that transfer fine-grained sediment in intertidal settings between channels and flats and within channels, and relates them to the temporary and longer-term deposits found in those environments ? when, why and how do suspended sediments transfer from the loose, unconsolidated deposits found in channels to the flat environments? Specifically, we are trying to answer the question: What role do tidal (semidiurnal, fortnightly), riverine and other seasonal (winds/waves, temperature, and biological glue) processes have on the transfer of sediment between tidal-flat environments and how is this manifested in terms of channel and flat deposits (temporary and longer)?

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2009
Accession Number
ADA527136

Entities

People

  • A. S. Ogston

Organizations

  • University of Washington

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Asymmetry
  • Backscattering
  • Boundary Layer
  • Coastal Management
  • Continental Shelves
  • Dynamics
  • Elevation
  • Environment
  • Fine Grained Materials
  • Floods
  • High Resolution
  • Instrumentation
  • Layers
  • Marine Geology
  • Sedimentation
  • Sediments
  • Suspended Sediments

Readers

  • Coastal and Marine Engineering/Sediment Transport/Hydraulic Engineering
  • Economics
  • Geotechnical Engineering.