Ghent University, Renard Centre of Marine Geology
Management Unit of the Mathematical Models of the North Sea
Catholic University Leuven, Hydraulics LaboratoryCatholic University Leuven, Regional Geology
Flanders Hydraulics i.c.w. Maritime Services, Flemish Government
Ghent University, Marine Biology SectionRBINS, Dept. InvertebratesFlanders Marine Institute
QUantification of Erosion/Sedimentation patterns to Trace the natural from the anthropogenically-inducedsediment dynamics
BelSPO-SSDStrategic Research Network
2007-2009-2010
SSD Priority Research Topics
Quest4D is an oriented-basic research project offering a basis for decision-making and contributing to (inter)national research efforts related to:
Process studies Impacts of anthropic and natural pressures Evaluating and developing integrated policy and
management measures
Why ?
Up-to-date impact studies remain inconclusive, regardless of the extensive field work and modelling exercises; mostly NO baseline studies; still
Marine Strategy Directive: Aiming at a ‘good’ ecological status of the
marine waters in the near future; need for Setting realistic environmental targets; Well-balanced monitoring programmes; Assessing natural vs anthropic pressure and
variability Ecosystem goods and services
CHALLENGES Conservation of biological diversity Conservation of biological resources Conservation of living and recreational
space
Three major trends Changes in hydrodynamics and sediment dynamics (e.g. sea level rise, coastal
protection) Changes in biogeochemical cycles (eutrophication, new substances, restoration) Biological change (species changes, foodweb, mariculture)
Changing Coastal Seas
DRIVERS Climate change Intensification of use Societal change
Analysis, monitoring and prediction Efficient and economical monitoring systems
Regional system models
Linking observation and models
Enabling a Science-based management of coastal waters
sensu Colijn, 2009
Process studies
MeasurementsMorphologySedimentologyBiologyHydrodynamic and sediment transport
InstrumentationMultibeam bathymetrySide-scan sonarBoxcoringGrab samplingSeismicsFree fall penetrometer
Multi-sensor tripod
Active CooperationUG-RCMGUG-MarbioMUMMWL
Historic samples
Characterisation of erosion/deposition areas
Process Modelling Development of integrated models
(hydrodynamic-sand/mud transport – wave) incl. the offshore, nearshore, foreshore-beach and Scheldt estuary
Sediment transport: sand-mud interaction: NEW bed model
Wetting-drying schemes Dynamic coupling of currents-waves
MUMM (coordinator) KUL
• Coherens model• Sediment transport (sand/mud)• Flocculation model
• Telemac model, WAM• Dynamic coupling currents-waves• Sediment transport (sand)
WL
• Delft 3D• Sediment transport (mud)• Idealized modelling to address impact studies
Model intercomparison
Model intercomparisonModel intercomparisona.o. Exchange of boundary conditions
Minimising differences between observations and model output! Bottom vs surface processes
Fine-tuning of parameters
< process studies
Data managementhttp://www.mumm.ac.be/datacentre/Databases/QUEST4D/index.php
Selection criteria
Today’ purpose
To discuss new measurements, observations and findings of the last 2yr. Issues: Influences on sediment transport; Larger scale sediment fluxes (sand/mud)
Discussing ways how to upgrade the data into tangible environmental targets and indicators of use for a sustainable management of our seas (goal next 2yr). Issues: Significance of anthropogenically-induced changes vs natural
variability; Views on sustainable exploitation (dredging, extraction,
coastal protection); Monitoring of cause and effect: practical approaches?
A common goal for the future ?