Modelling the Transport and Export of Sediments in Macrotidal Estuaries with Eroding Salt Marsh |
| |
| Authors: | Xiaorong Li Andy Plater Nicoletta Leonardi |
| |
| Institution: | 1.Department of Geography and Planning, School of Environmental Sciences,University of Liverpool,Liverpool,UK |
| |
| Abstract: | A process-based numerical model is applied to investigate sediment transport dynamics and sediment budget in tide-dominated estuaries under different salt marsh erosion scenarios. Using a typical funnel-shaped estuary (Ribble Estuary, UK) as a study site, it is found that the remobilization of sediments within the estuary is increased as a result of the tidal inundation of the eroded salt marsh. The landward export of the finest sediment is also intensified. The relationship between salt marsh erosion and net landward export of sediments has been found to be non-linear—with the first 30% salt marsh erosion causing most of the predicted export. The presence of vegetation also influences the sediment budget. Results suggest that vegetation reduces the amount of sediment being transported upstream. Again, the trapping effect of salt marsh in terms of plant density is non-linear. Whilst a vegetated surface with a stem density of 64 plants/m2 decreased the net landward export of very fine sand by around 50%, a further increase in stem density from 64 to 512 plants/m2 had a relatively small effect. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ |
|
