Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning
EU Network of Excellence

 
Main Menu

· Home
· Contacts
· Data Systems
· Documents
· FAQ
· Links
· MarBEF Open Archive
· Network Description
· Outreach
· Photo Gallery
· Quality Assurance
· Register of Resources
· Research Projects
· Rules and Guidelines
· Training
· Wiki
· Worldconference

 

Register of Resources (RoR)

 People  |  Datasets  |  Literature  |  Institutes  |  Projects 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Study on wave systems and their impact on the seabed and water column turbidity in the Belgian coastal zone
Thant, S. (2014). Study on wave systems and their impact on the seabed and water column turbidity in the Belgian coastal zone. MSc Thesis. Universiteit Antwerpen/Universiteit Gent/VUB: Antwerpen, Gent, Brussel. 43, 82 pp.

Thesis info:

Available in  Author 
Document type: Dissertation

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Suspended particulate matter, storm impact, Southern North Sea, mixing, high concentrated mud suspensions

Author  Top 
  • Thant, S.

Abstract
    Suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentration is one of the key parameters to describe the environmental status, and to evaluate and understand the impact of human activities on the water column and seabed in both nearshore and offshore areas. In order to do so, long-term measurements are needed in order to resolve all natural variations in SPM concentration. Processes affecting SPM concentration are turbulence caused by tides under both neap and spring tide cycles, and by meteorological events. Other, more long-term fluctuations are related to seasons. SPM concentration has been measured since 2005 at the MOW1 site and the Blankenberge site, situated west of Zeebrugge in the high-turbidity zone off the Belgian-Dutch coast. The measurements have been carried out using a benthic tripod that allowed measuring during all meteorological conditions, including storms. The impact of extreme weather conditions (e.g. storms) on sediment re-suspension and SPM concentration has been investigated using meteorological and wave data from IVA MDK (afdeling Kust - Meetnet Vlaamse Banken). SPM concentration data from MOW1 and Blankenberge were estimated using the backscatter data from a 3MHz acoustic Doppler profiling current meter. A semi-automatic detection algorithm for identifying extreme events in SPM was developed to handle the large amount (~4 years) of SPM concentration data. These events were caused by following specific extreme weather conditions: 1) NW storms with high swell activity, 2) SW storms and 3) strong NE winds. In total 41 events of extreme SPM concentration were detected of which 19 were caused by a NW storm, 14 by SW storm conditions and 6 by strong eastern winds. Two events could not be classified. NW storms accompanied by swell waves (i.e. waves with longer-than-average period) generate bottom shear stresses up to 30 Pa, causing strong resuspension and erosion of fluffy bed material and of the bed itself. This occasionally leads to the formation of high concentration mud suspensions (HCMS). Upward mixing of SPM in the higher water column is hindered due to the high SPM concentrations causing a decrease in turbulent energy. In contrast, SW storms are characterized by a lower erosion capacity and a better upward vertical mixing of SPM. In general, only NW storms can induce resuspension and erosion in the navigation channels. NE winds cause increases in SPM concentration by the advection of sediment out of the Westerschelde mouth. Additionally, the interaction of different wave systems, together with water depth and sediment type will play an important role in understanding the variation in impact of different extreme weather conditions.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Author 


If any information here appears to be incorrect, please contact us
Back to Register of Resources
 
Quick links

MarBEF WIKI

Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (EMBC)
Outreach

Science
Responsive Mode Programme (RMP) - Marie Nordstrom, copyright Aspden Rebecca

WoRMS
part of WoRMS logo

ERMS 2.0
Epinephelus marginatus Picture: JG Harmelin

EurOBIS

Geographic System

Datasets

 


Web site hosted and maintained by Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) - Contact data-at-marbef.org