Nearshore waves and related wave overtopping in complex estuaries

This dissertation focuses on the Eems-Dollard estuary in the north of the Netherlands and contributes to the MVED (’Meerjarige Veldmetingen Eems-Dollard’) field measurement project in the area. The Eems-Dollard estuary is part of the Wadden Sea, a shallow shelf sea with barrier islands, deep tidal channels, shallow tidal flats and wetlands. The...

Anthropogenic effects on the hydro-morphological development of turbid estuaries

Estuarine sediment dynamics involves estuarine hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and morphology, and strongly influence ecosystem dynamics and sustainability. In the current geological epoch, referred to as the Anthropocene, human activities are exerting increasing impacts on the environment on all scales, changing hydrodynamics, sediment...

Intertidal Flats in Engineered Estuaries: On the Hydrodynamics, Morphodynamics, and Implications for Ecology and System Management

Intertidal flats — regions of estuaries that emerge every tide from the water — form unique ecosystems. Benthic communities living in the bed are a valuable food source for wading birds. Salt marshes present on these flats further enhance the biodiversity. Through the damping of waves, intertidal flats also contribute to the safety of the...

A theoretical basis for salinity intrusion in estuaries

Saltwater intrusion is a crucial issue in estuaries. The spread of salinity is described by the dispersion coefficient. A purely empirical equation which links the effective tidal average dispersion to the freshwater discharge was developed by Van der Burgh [1972]. Combining it with the salt balance equation, Savenije [1986] derived a one...

Three-dimensional model for estuarine turbidity maxima in tidally dominated estuaries: An idealized modeling approach

Multiple scales of suspendend sediment dynamics in a complex geometry estuary

Many estuaries are located in urbanized, highly engineered environments. Cohesive sediment plays an important role because of its affect on estuarine health and ecology. An important ecological parameter is the suspended sediment concentration (SSC) translated into turbidity levels and sediment budget. Veel estuaria zijn gelegen in...

Multiscale physical processes of fine sediment in an estuary

This study presented in this book investigates micro- and macro- scale physical processes of a large-scale fine sediment estuarine system with a moderate tidal range as well as a highly seasonal-varying freshwater inflow. Based on a series measured, experimented and modeled results, the research highlights that (i) along-channel fresh-salt...

Prediction in Ungauged Estuaries

Estuaries have been used for settlement by humans since 5000-9000 years ago [Day et al., 2012]. The calm environment and nutrient-rich soil encouraged the development of ports and agriculture. Over-development however has put estuaries in unhealthy condition, where the water is polluted (excessive nutrient or salt intrusion problem) and natural...

Modeling estuarine morphodynamics under combined river and tidal forcing

Estuarine morphodynamics are of broad importance to estuaries’ functions related to navigation, human settlement and ecosystems. Inspired by the Yangtze River estuary (YRE), this study aims to explore the impact of river discharge, tides and their interaction on long-term estuarine morphodynamics. Use is made of 1D and 2D process-based models....

On sedimentation processes in a stratified estuarine system

Trapping of sediment in tidal estuaries

An estuary is an ideal habitat for various aquatic species. At the same time, estuaries and adjacent rivers are used as fast navigation routes between the coastal and inland territories. The fast industrial development and the subsequent growth of cities and trade have led to large-scale anthropogenic alterations of estuarine systems. Estuaries...

Macrophytes in estuarine gradients: Flow through flexible vegetation

Aquatic plants –or macrophytes- are an important part of coastal, estuarine and freshwater ecosystems worldwide, both from an ecological and an engineering viewpoint. Their meadows provide a wide range of ecosystem services: forming a physical protection of the shoreline, enhancing water quality and harbouring many other organisms. Unfortunately...

Estuarine Ecosystem Engineering: Biogeomorphology in the estuarine intertidal

The aim of this thesis was to investigate how (macro)benthic organisms interact with the ecological functioning, erodibility and small- to medium-scale morphodynamics of estuarine intertidal sediment by modulating its composition and/or properties. In these interactions, scale is of great importance for the ecosystem engineers. The changes they...

Morphodynamic modelling of estuarine channel-shoal systems

In this research, the initial formation and long-term evolution of channel-shoal patterns in schematised basins is simulated using a model based on the software package Delft3D. The resulting channel-shoal patterns are validated with field observations, among which the Western Scheldt estuary. This has proven that a complex model is able to...