Animal-Sediment Interactions Relevant to Shallow-Water Boundary-Layer Flows and Sediment Transport
Abstract
The long-term goals of this research are to identify conditions where existing abiotic, sediment-transport models would make reasonably accurate predictions, and to identify the key, biologically relevant parameters that would improve sediment-transport models to account for biological effects. Ultimately, this research would contribute to a new generation of models that could provide meaningful sediment-transport predictions which are meaningful for both biotic and abiotic conditions. The objectives of this study are to obtain estimates of the seafloor area covered by dense assemblages of organisms that are likely to affect sediment transport in high-energy, very shallow water (<15 m), sandy environments and to quantify the effects of these organisms on near-bed flows and sediment transport in a laboratory flume. The project consists of three components: technology development (FY96), field observations and sampling (FY97), and laboratory flume studies (FY98). The specific objective of the research conducted during FY98 was to determine how dense assemblages of sand dollars (Echinarachnius parma) affect the transport of sands, and how the flow and sediment-transport environment may shape the distribution of this species.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA535234
Entities
People
- Cheryl A. Butman
Organizations
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution