Estuary Processes and Geomorphology
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EstuaryEstuary ProcessesProcesses andand Geomorphology:Geomorphology: OutputsOutputs ofof ERP2ERP2 Alun Williams ProjectProject FD2119 FD2119 EstuariesEstuaries Research Research Programme Programme Phase Phase 2 2 TrainingTraining Event Event November November 2007 2007 Overview • UK Estuary Types • Estuary Processes • ERP2 Projects: – FD1905 - Estuary Process Research Project (EstProc) – FD2107 - Hybrid Estuary Model Development – FD2116 - Review of Geomorphological Concepts – FD2117 - Estuary Simulators Development (EstSim) Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 Classification of UK Estuary Types • ERP2 developed UK database based on: – EMPHASYS database – Futurecoast database – JNCC inventory. • Futurecoast (Dyer, 2002) classification amended and simplified: - Working typology for UK estuaries • Identify range of UK Estuaries: – Behavioural estuary types; – Geomorphological elements present within each. Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 Estuary Typology 2 4 3 1 Cliff Type Type Dune Delta Basin Spits Origin Drainage Drainage Mud Flats Sand Flats Channels Salt Marsh Flood Plain Flood Behavioural Behavioural Barrier Beach Rock Platform Rock Linear Banks 1FGlacial valley jordX XXX XX 2Fjard0/1/2 XXXXX XX 3Ria0/1/2 XX XXX X Drowned river 4 Spit enclosed /1/2 X E/F X/N XXXXXX valley 5 Funnel shaped X XE/F X XXX XX 6 Marine/fluvial Embayment X XX XXX X 7Drowned Tidal inlet 0/1/XXE/F X XXX X coastal plain Notes: 1 Spits: 0/1/2 refers to number of spits; E/F refers to ebb/flood deltas; N refers to no low water channel; X indicates a significant presence. 2 Linear Banks: considered as alternative form of delta. 3 Channels: refers to presence of ebb/flood channels associated with deltas or an estuary subtidal channel. 4 Flood Plain: refers to presence of accommodation space on estuary hinterland. Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 UK Estuary Types • Fjord • Fjard •Ria • Spit enclosed • Funnel shaped • Embayment • Tidal Inlet Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 Estuary Geomorphic Elements • Cliff • Barrier Beach • Dunes • Delta • Rock Platform • Channel • Mudflat • Sandflat • Saltmarsh • Drainage Basin Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 Characteristic Features of UK Estuaries • Extensive intertidal areas including saltmarshes, mudflats and sand flats; • Semi-diurnal tidal regime; • Wave shelter; • Water layering and mixing; • Temperature and salinity gradients; • Sediment suspension and transport; • High productivity; • High levels and rapid exchange of nutrients; • Presence of plants and animals particularly adapted to these conditions; and • Presence of migrant and seasonally fluctuating populations of birds. Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 Estuary Processes • Area of transition from tidal to fluvial; • Area of transition from saline to freshwater; • Mixing can lead to a marked interface and internal waves; • Salinity gradients can set up density flows along and across estuaries; • Water movements complicated by surface waves. Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 Estuary Processes - 2 • Waves can form within the estuary as well as propagate into the estuary from outside; • Complexity reflected in sediment transport within the system; • Sediment supply from marine and freshwater sources; • Sediment reworking leading to zones of erosion and deposition. Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 Estuary Processes - 3 • Intertidal areas can appear stable in the medium term but are generally dynamic; • Sediments can be cycled on different timescales, over a tide or in response to changing sea levels, especially fine sediments. • Diverse environment – need to consider estuary system as a whole. Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 ERP2 Research Projects • FD1905 - Estuary Process Research Project (EstProc) • FD2107 - Hybrid Estuary Model Development • FD2116 - Review of Geomorphological Concepts • FD2117 - Estuary Simulators Development (EstSim) Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 FD1905 – Hydrobiosedimentary Processes in Estuaries (EstProc) • Delivery of new science and algorithms; • Application of physics-based biology in estuary process models; • Inclusion of wave-current interaction; • Improved parameterisation of bed exchanges: – mud/sand erosion, settling, sedimentation; • Dynamical hypothesis for estuarine morphology – taken forward in FD2107. Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 New algorithms • Improved process knowledge and tools: – tools = methods and models; – component parts of physical processes; – 29 algorithms for specific processes. • Parameterisation suitable for whole estuary models. • For example: physical representation of frictional effects of vegetation. • Calibration: – Dengie Peninsula, Essex (floristically diverse saltmarsh) – Paulinashor, Western Scheldt estuary (monospecific Spartina marsh) Source: Cambridge Coastal Research Unit and WL|Delft Hydraulics Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 Western Scheldt, Netherlands Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 Wave dissipation on saltmarsh 10 9 Observed SWAN 8 7 6 5 4 3 Sig. height Wave (cm) 2 1 0 -11 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325 Distance Salt Marsh (m) Measured and calculated Hsig for a transect in the Paulinapolder saltmarsh Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 FD2107 - Hybrid Estuary Model Development • To improve confidence in model predictions of estuary form; • Various models (B-U, T-D, Hybrid); • Eight varied UK estuaries • Compare model approaches and estuaries. Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 Models (& Type) • Emulator Hybrid • Hybrid Model Interface Hybrid Down • “2.5D” Bottom Up • ASMITA-type Top Down • Realignment Hybrid • Particle Tracking Hybrid •Inverse Hybrid Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 Application of Models to UK Estuaries • Emulator All • HMI Thames, Blackwater, Humber, Mersey, Southampton Water • “2.5D” Mersey, Dee, Ribble • ASMITA-Type Thames • Realignment Tollesbury • Particle Tracking Thames, Mersey • Inverse Humber Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 Hybrid Model Interface (HMI) • HMI links a 1D hydrodynamic model (bottom up) with Regime morphodynamic top down model. Initial bed Boundary Alter form ( e.g. form conditions engineering works) HMI or boundary conditions (e.g. slr) Initial Hydraulic model to Hydraulic model to Regime determine flow determine flow Condition conditions conditions Hybrid Defined Simulation Define regime Apply scheme to Outside Stable? No relationships adjust bed the HMI Yes New form Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 Hybrid Model Interface (HMI) • Fully windows based tool. • Open source code. • Option to include both Mike11 and ISIS (InfoWorks). • Full documentation (user manual). • ASMITA (extra). Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 HMI Results • New morphology • Areas • Volumes • Water levels • Velocities • Discharges • Habitats Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 ASMITA-type model • Developed as a tool to study impacts of sea level rise on Dutch coastline. • “Aggregated scale” approach: interactions between blocks of channel, flats or delta. • Hybrid model: simplifies hydrodynamics using semi-empirical relationships. • Represents changes in the volume of channel/flat/delta elements. Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 ASMITA • Code fully available • Matlab • GUI environment • Fully interactive, user-friendly interface • Documentation Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 Application of the HMI: Regime and ASMITA • Model the long-term change in the equilibrium form of the estuary; • In response to change in forcing factors: – Climate change, e.g. increase in sea level; – Management of the estuary, e.g. flood defences. Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 FD2107 - Conclusions • Best practice: – Validate against historic change; – Otherwise generate ensemble of possible outcomes. • Ideally compare model results with alternatives for validation, don’t rely on output from one model. • Predicted trends should be broadly consistent with results of bottom-up models. • Results show sensitivities of different estuaries to a range of climate change scenarios. • Not all estuaries respond in the same way. Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training Event November 2007 FD2116 - Review of Geomorphological Concepts • Rigorous approach to Expert Geomorphological Assessment (EGA): • Applies to all methods. • Detailed review of top down methods: • including Historical Trend Analysis • Potential to lead directly to improvements in the quality and effectiveness of morphological studies associated with flood defence and estuarine impacts. Project FD2119 Estuaries Research Programme Phase 2 Training