Numerical Modelling of Aeolian Sediment Transport, Vegetation Growth and Blowout Formation in Coastal Dunes

Coastal dunes are dominant features along much of the world’s sandy coastlines serving as the first line of protection against coastal flooding. Besides this primary purpose, the coastal dunes also provide a variety of other functions such as the supply of drinking water, nature conservation and recreational areas. With the secondary functions...

Predicting the survival of coral reefs: A biophysical modelling approach

KEY POINTS (I) A biophysical model framework (BMF) for corals is developed in which four environmental factors are included: (1) light; (2) hydrodynamics; (3) temperature; and (4) acidity. (II) The full feedback loop between corals and their environment forms the core of this model framework, where the morphological...

Morphological Response of the Dutch Sandy Coast to Accelerated Sea Level Rise: A process-based modelling approach using Delft3D, applied to the Delfland coast

Accelerated sea level rise (SLR) is predicted to have multiple adverse impacts on the coastal zone, aggravating phenomena such as coastal erosion on sandy coasts. For climate change adaptation planning and informing policy, morphodynamic changes occurring at coastlines are becoming increasingly important. In this study, a calibrated Delft3D...

Numerical modelling of aeolian coastal landform development

Coastal dunes serve as a first line of protection against flooding by the sea. In the recent past, the interest in secondary services provided by coastal dunes has increased. These services include ecological values and recreation. In order to manage and maintain the coast as an attractive area that combines coastal protection and ecological...

Using Non-Stationary Training Images from Process-Based Models for Multiple Point Geostatistics Stochastic Generation of Fluvial-Dominated Delta Reservoir Model

Process-based method forward stratigraphic modelling provides advantages in reservoir modelling by simulating the geological process mathematically, and the genesis of geologic formations over time (Michael et al., 2010). In spite of its advantages, Miller et al. (2008) have recognised significant challenges in process-based simulation models,...

Utilizing Process-Based Models to Better Incorporate Heterogeneities within Reservoir Modelling

Traditional reservoir modelling utilizes a stochastic approach centered around statistics to generate a 3D representation of the reservoir. While the results of a stochastic approach are favorable, they tend to lack the detail that is necessary to fully understand the different aspects of the reservoir, more precisely, the inclusion of...

Coastal dune behavior and the role of sediment supply in the aeolian system

This thesis explores the nature of coastal dune behavior and the role of sediment supply in the aeolian system. The first part of the thesis conducts a data analysis based on the Dutch JARKUS dataset, which provides yearly measured profiles along the Dutch coast. A series of parameters derived from the profile measurements have been used to...

Process-based modelling of the St Lucia Estuary: Morphodynamic response of the inlet due to dredge spoil removal and re-linkage of Mfolozi River

The St Lucia Estuary is Africa’s largest estuarine system and part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which was listed as South Africa’s first World Heritage Site in December 1999. The St Lucia Estuary is connected upstream to Lake St Lucia and downstream it flows into the Indian Ocean. The St Lucia Estuary is located at a wave dominated coast...

Beach representation in morphodynamic predictions: Coupling models to improve beach behavior applied to Anmok beach

Numerical process-based morphodynamic models are widespread in coastal engineering practice and have become the new standard when it comes to assessing the impact of natural or man-made structures on coastal environments. The most common practice among engineers is to focus on a single spatial and time scale, which means either neglecting...