The Role of Fluid Mud in Sediment Transport Processes Along a Muddy Coast
Abstract
The long-term goals of this study are to evaluate the role of high concentration sediment suspensions (fluid mud) in sediment transport processes along muddy coastlines. This requires an understanding of the formation and dynamic behavior of fluid muds, as well as the effects on attenuation of surface waves as they approach the shoreline. The motivation for this study comes from the acknowledgement that work done on sandy beaches is not directly transferable to muddy coasts, and the role of fluid mud is critical to large-scale beach changes on muddy coasts. This study addresses the following objectives: 1. to examine the formation of fluid mud on the inner shelf as the result of a) trapping due to convergence of bottom flows and enhanced settling at a salinity front, or b) a resuspension process due to surface wave activity; 2. to test the concept of a critical bearing capacity for a flow, based on results of Trowbridge and Kineke (1994); and 3. to document the attenuation of wave energy over an inner shelf with fluid muds and relate that to areas of shoreline accretion and erosion.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA609994
Entities
People
- Gail Kineke
Organizations
- Boston College