Sediment dynamics in the Schelde-estuary: report 1. Influence of fresh water discharge and tide on the ETM-dynamics in the Schelde-estuary using Delft3D
Plancke, Y.; Dupont, H.; Stark, J.; Kaptein, S.J. (2021). Sediment dynamics in the Schelde-estuary: report 1. Influence of fresh water discharge and tide on the ETM-dynamics in the Schelde-estuary using Delft3D. Version 3.0. FHR reports, 19_060_1. Flanders Hydraulics Research: Antwerp. VIII, 24 + 2 p. app. pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.48607/67
The Schelde-estuary is subjected to tides, (seasonal) variations in fresh water discharge and natural and manmade changes in bathymetry. These changes affect suspended sediment dynamics and therefore the formation and location of the estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM). An assessment of ETM formation and ETM location under different conditions of river discharge, tides and bathymetry is performed in this study using a Delft3D-numerical model. Overall results show lower maximum values of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in the ETM and a movement of the ETM in downstream direction as fresh water discharges become higher. During exceptional high discharges no clear ETM can be discerned as SSC is distributed more evenly. ETM location does not change significantly between spring- and neap tide, however an increase in SSC can be found in the Beneden- Zeeschelde during spring tide conditions. Bathymetric changes between 2011 and 2019 show an upwards shift in ETM location and higher SSC in the ETM.
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