Winds of opportunity: The effects of wind on intertidal flat accretion

Intertidal ecosystems are threatened by sea level rise and anthropogenic pressures. Understanding the processes controlling the morphodynamic developments of tidal flats is crucial for sustainable management of these systems. Analysis of three extensive fieldwork campaigns carried out on two adjacent mudflats fringing the Dutch Western Wadden...

Characterizing the Composition of Sand and Mud Suspensions in Coastal and Estuarine Environments Using Combined Optical and Acoustic Measurements

Quantifying and characterizing suspended sediment is essential to successful monitoring and management of estuaries and coastal environments. To quantify suspended sediment, optical and acoustic backscatter instruments are often used. Optical backscatter systems are more sensitive to mud particles (<63 μm) and flocs, whereas acoustic...

The impact of wind on flow and sediment transport over intertidal flats

Sediment transport over intertidal flats is driven by a combination of waves, tides, and wind-driven flow. In this study we aimed at identifying and quantifying the interactions between these processes. A five week long dataset consisting of flow velocities, waves, water depths, suspended sediment concentrations, and bed level changes was...

An integrated optic and acoustic (IOA) approach for measuring suspended sediment concentration in highly turbid environments

Accurate measurement of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in highly turbid environments has been a problem due to optical or acoustic signal saturation and attenuation. The saturation returns a limited measurement range, and the attenuation raises an ambiguity problem that a low optical or acoustic output could mean a low or a high SSC....