Interpretation of tracer experiments with fine-grained dredging material at the Belgian Continental Shelf by the use of numerical models
Van den Eynde, D. (2004). Interpretation of tracer experiments with fine-grained dredging material at the Belgian Continental Shelf by the use of numerical models. J. Mar. Syst. 48(1-4): 171-189. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2003.03.003 In: Journal of Marine Systems. Elsevier: Tokyo; Oxford; New York; Amsterdam. ISSN 0924-7963; e-ISSN 1879-1573, more Also appears in:Delhez, E.J.M.; Deleersnijder, E.; Rixen, M. (2004). Tracer methods in geophysical fluid dynamics. Journal of Marine Systems, 48(1-4). Elsevier: Amsterdam. 1-194 pp., more |  |
| Keywords | Dredging
Numerical models
Properties > Physical properties > Turbidity
Sediments > Cohesive sediments
Tracers > Radioactive tracers
Transport > Sediment transport
ANE, Belgium, Belgian Continental Shelf (BCS) [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal | | Author keywords | radioactive tracers; sediment transport; mathematical models; cohesive sediments; dredging; turbidity; North Sea; southern bight; Belgian Continental Shelf |
| Abstract | Radioactive tracer experiments were used by HAECON NV to give insight into the transport of the dredged material in Belgian coastal waters. The experiments showed that material dumped less than 25 km from the coast recirculated rapidly to the coast, while material dumped further from the coast disappeared from the Belgian Continental Shelf. The degree of recirculation was however not well determined, due to large uncertainties in the experiments. A vertically integrated sediment transport model is therefore used to simulate the dispersion of dredged material in the Belgian coastal waters. The model is a semi-Lagrangian model, based on the Second Moment Method. The bottom stress is calculated under the influence of prevailing currents and waves. Although many uncertainties still remain in the modelling of sediment transport, this simple sediment transport model gives satisfying results in simulating the tracer experiments. By a careful interpretation of the experimental and model results, new insight is obtained about the existence of the turbidity maximum in the Belgian coastal waters. |
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