Assessing the relationship between bed shear stress estimates and observations of sediment resuspension in the ocean

Cynthia Bluteau, S.L. Smith, Gregory Ivey, Tamara Schlosser, Nicole Jones

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paperConference paperpeer-review

    Abstract

    We present observations from a three week field programme
    on the Tasman Eastern Continental Shelf designed to determine
    the mechanisms responsible for sediment resuspension when
    tidally-forced internal waves impinge on the shelf. Using a bottom
    lander on the seafloor at the 190 m isobath, we measured
    sediment concentrations, velocities, and turbulent stresses near
    the seabed. The bed shear stress estimated using the quadratic
    drag law had the highest correlation with the observed sediment
    concentrations, but were always much higher than the
    critical shear stress required to initiate sediment motion. Bed
    shear stresses determined from the turbulence measurements
    were more reasonable in magnitude, but unresolved questions
    remain. Our ultimate goal is to improve predictions of nearbed
    shear stresses, and sediment re-suspension in these complex
    flows.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationThe Proceedings of the 20th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference
    EditorsGreg Ivey, Nicole Jones, Tongming Zhou
    PublisherAustralian Fluid Mechanics Society
    Pages1-4
    Number of pages4
    ISBN (Print)9781740523776
    Publication statusPublished - 2016
    Event20th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference - University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
    Duration: 5 Dec 20168 Dec 2016
    Conference number: 20
    http://www.afms.org.au/20AFMC/

    Conference

    Conference20th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference
    Abbreviated titleAFMC
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    CityPerth
    Period5/12/168/12/16
    Internet address

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