Dune migration and sand transport rates in tidal estuaries

The example of the river elbe

authored by: Anna Zorndt, Andreas Wurpts, Torsten Schlurmann, Nino Ohle, Thomas Strotmann
Abstract: Large parts of the tidal estuary of river Elbe (Germany) are characterized by regular patterns of sand dunes. They are presumed to evolve due to complex sand transport mechanisms and show multi-faceted migration patterns. Direction and magnitude of their migration are influenced by hydrodynamic boundary conditions such as river runoff and tides. Dune Migration can lead to residual sand transport rates, depending on its direction and magnitude and the dune's characteristics. The understanding of dune migration patterns and associated sand transport is the basis of an effective sediment management as well as an important requirement for planning offshore structures. This study focuses on methods for computing migration and sand transport rates in automated ways. In a comparison and validation of different approaches, a cross-correlation technique was found to produce best results. From a unique data set of up to six annual bathymetrical multi-beam soundings between 1995 and 2010, dune characteristics and migration rates were processed and analysed autonomously. The findings show that over the long run, average dune migration and sand transport rates in the present study reach are directed upstream.
Organisation(s): Ludwig-Franzius-Institute of Hydraulics, Estuarine and Coastal Engineering
External Organisation(s): Hamburg Port Authority (HPA)
Type: Conference contribution
No. of pages: 10
Publication date: 2010
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Civil and Structural Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Oceanography
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.9753/icce.v32.sediment.38 (Access: Open)
https://doi.org/10.15488/1837 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@inproceedings{60de1127bbc34280b5aba21322f28914,
title = "Dune migration and sand transport rates in tidal estuaries: The example of the river elbe",
abstract = "Large parts of the tidal estuary of river Elbe (Germany) are characterized by regular patterns of sand dunes. They are presumed to evolve due to complex sand transport mechanisms and show multi-faceted migration patterns. Direction and magnitude of their migration are influenced by hydrodynamic boundary conditions such as river runoff and tides. Dune Migration can lead to residual sand transport rates, depending on its direction and magnitude and the dune's characteristics. The understanding of dune migration patterns and associated sand transport is the basis of an effective sediment management as well as an important requirement for planning offshore structures. This study focuses on methods for computing migration and sand transport rates in automated ways. In a comparison and validation of different approaches, a cross-correlation technique was found to produce best results. From a unique data set of up to six annual bathymetrical multi-beam soundings between 1995 and 2010, dune characteristics and migration rates were processed and analysed autonomously. The findings show that over the long run, average dune migration and sand transport rates in the present study reach are directed upstream.",
keywords = "Cross-Correlation Method, Dune Migration, Elbe Estuary, Sand Dunes, Sand Transport, Complex sands, Cross correlation methods, Cross correlation techniques, Data sets, Germany, Hydrodynamic boundary conditions, Migration patterns, Migration rates, Regular patterns, River Elbe, River runoffs, Sand dunes, Sand transport, Sand transport rate, Sediment management, Tidal estuary, Correlation methods, Estuaries, Offshore structures, Coastal engineering",
author = "Anna Zorndt and Andreas Wurpts and Torsten Schlurmann and Nino Ohle and Thomas Strotmann",
note = "Export Date: 1 February 2021; 32nd International Conference on Coastal Engineering, ICCE 2010 ; Conference date: 30-06-2010 Through 05-07-2010",
year = "2010",
doi = "10.9753/icce.v32.sediment.38",
language = "English",
isbn = "978-0-9896611-0-2",
series = "Proceedings of Conference on Coastal Engineering",
publisher = "International Conference on Coastal Engineering (ICCE)",
number = "32",
editor = "{McKnee Smith}, Jane and Patrick Lynett",
booktitle = "Proceedings of the 32nd International Conference on Coastal Engineering 2010",
}