Skip to main content

IMIS

A new integrated search interface will become available in the next phase of marineinfo.org.
For the time being, please use IMIS to search available data

 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Modeling centuries of estuarine morphodynamics in the Western Scheldt estuary
Dam, G.; Van der Wegen, M.; Labeur, R.J.; Roelvink, D. (2016). Modeling centuries of estuarine morphodynamics in the Western Scheldt estuary. Geophys. Res. Lett. 43(8): 3839-3847. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2015GL066725
In: Geophysical Research Letters. American Geophysical Union: Washington. ISSN 0094-8276; e-ISSN 1944-8007, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Author keywords
    estuary;long term;morphodynamics;hindcast;Western Scheldt;Netherlands

Authors  Top 
  • Dam, G., more
  • Van der Wegen, M., more
  • Labeur, R.J.
  • Roelvink, D.

Abstract
    We hindcast a 110 year period (1860–1970) of morphodynamic behavior of the Western Scheldt estuary by means of a 2-D, high-resolution, process-based model and compare results to a historically unique bathymetric data set. Initially, the model skill decreases for a few decades. Against common perception, the model skill increases after that to become excellent after 110 years. We attribute this to the self-organization of the morphological system which is reproduced correctly by the numerical model. On time scales exceeding decades, the interaction between the major tidal forcing and the confinement of the estuary overrules other uncertainties. Both measured and modeled bathymetries reflect a trend of decreasing energy dissipation, less morphodynamic activity, and thus a more stable morphology over time, albeit that the estuarine adaptation time is long (approximately centuries). Process-based models applied in confined environments and under constant forcing conditions may perform well especially on long (greater than decades) time scales.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors