Catarine M. Dohmen-Janssen

Modeling of spatial lag in bed-load transport processes and its effect on dune morphology

In the present study, two bed-load transport models are introduced in an existing idealized dune model. These allow for the modeling of the spatial lag between the sediment transport rate and bed shear stress along dune surfaces. This lag is an important factor in determining transitions between bedform regimes. Results of the original dune model (using an equilibrium transport formula) are compared with (1) a new model version that directly models spatial lag with a relaxation equation and (2) a new model version including pick-up and deposition processes. Both bed-load models use mean particle step length as an important parameter, which is varied to assess which value is appropriate for the dune regime. Laboratory experiments are simulated with the model. This shows that the results are best with the pick-up and deposition model version, combined with a step length of 25 times the particle diameter. It is furthermore shown that in principle the model is also able to wash out fully grown dunes, by increasing the step length parameter - See more at: http://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/%28ASCE%29HY.1943-7900.0001254#sthash.to4wr5CU.dpuf

Suspension by regular and groupy waves over bedforms in a large wave flume (SISTEX99)

Suspended sand concentrations and bedforms under waves were measured in the controlled environment of a large wave flume. Three suspension conditions are discussed here; those occurring with regular (monochromatic) waves of height 0.55m over anorbital ripples, regular waves 1.0m high over orbital bedforms, and repeating wave groups (with a significant wave height of 0.6m) also over orbital-scale features. In all cases the wave-to-wave variability in suspended load was high (∼30%). Patterns of suspension were dependent on the bedform type and on instrument location relative to the bedform. Regular waves suspended an order of magnitude more sediment than groupy waves with a similar significant wave height illustrating,the importance of sequences of high waves in pumping-up sediment concentration into the water column.

Flow routing in mangrove forests: field data obtained in Trang, Thailand

Mangroves grow in the intertidal parts of sheltered tropical coastlines, facilitating coastal stabilization and wave attenuation. Mangroves are widely threatened nowadays, although past studies have indicated their contribution to coastal safety. Most of these studies were based on numerical modeling however and a proper database with field observations is lacking yet. This paper presents part of the results of an extensive field campaign in a mangrove area in Trang Province, Thailand. The study area covers the outer border of an estuarine mangrove creek catchment. Data have been collected on elevation, vegetation, water levels, flow directions and flow velocities throughout this study area. Due to the tough conditions in the field, developing a suitable method for data collection and processing has been a major challenge in this study. Analysis of the hydrodynamic data uncovers the change of flow directions and velocities throughout a mangrove creek catchment over one tidal cycle. In the initial stages of flooding and the final stages of ebbing, creeks supply water to the lower elevated parts of the mangroves. In between these stages, the entire forest bordering the estuary is flooded and flow directions are perpendicular to the forest fringe. Flow velocities within the creeks are still substantially higher than those within the forest, as the creeks also supply water to the back mangroves. These insights in flow routing are promising for the future analysis of sediment input and distribution in mangroves.