Morphodynamics in rivers, estuaries and deltas

When approaching the coast, rivers and estuaries are increasingly governed by marine influences such as tides and storm surges. This course deals with the physical processes of flow, particle transport and morphodynamics in the land to sea transition zone. It first covers the basics of tidal propagation in rivers and estuaries, and the associated net horizontal circulation patterns. Next, flow curvature and other phenomena governing vertical circulation in the water column are discussed, detailing the impacts on the transport of particles such as sediment and microplastic. The course proceeds with the description of bulk properties of sediment and microplastics, and further focuses on the foundations of bedload and suspended load transport processes. Bedform dynamics in rivers are subsequently discussed, focusing mainly on alternative types of bedforms including ripples, dunes and bars, and how they resist the flow. The last part of the course zooms out to discuss river and estuarine morphodynamics at the landscape scale, addressing contemporary challenges of sea level rise, extreme events and reduced sediment input to deltas. A significant portion of time is dedicated to the analysis of flow, sediment transport and bedform dynamics in the Kraijenhoff van de Leur Laboratory for Water and Sediment Dynamics.

• Describe the basic properties of sediment and microplastic and their impact on particle transport

• Provide the theoretical background required to choose an appropriate sediment transport prediction formula in river and estuarine science and engineering

• Predict the type of bedform and associated roughness to flow for a given flow and sediment transport condition

• Predict the primary bed evolution changes resulting from measures in rivers and estuaries

• Estimate storm resilience of estuarine coasts

• Critically analyse scientific literature on flow, transport and morphodynamics in rivers and estuaries

• Explain the processes of tidal propagation and circulation in rivers and estuaries

• Explain three-dimensional flow patterns in curved channel reaches

• Written test with open questions (100%) The mark for the course will be based on written examination of the theory and the practical assignments.

ZSS06100 Laboratory Safety HWM35306 Geophysical Fluid Mechanics and/or HWM35806 River Flow

• A reader is made available at https://wurreadershop.proefschriftmaken.nl/shop/wur. Lecture slides, scientific papers and a practical guide can be downloaded from Brightspace.