Stability of the Wadden Sea basins has been analysed in the past mainly based on geomorphological approaches (e.g., Dieckmann, 1985 or Osterthun & Partenscky, 1991). In the early 1990’s, Zhu and Partenscky (1991) developed the first numerical model of Wadden Sea hydrodynamics. However, a real breakthrough in understanding of the processes has yet to be achieved. To date, no detailed analyses of the physical processes related to the medium and long-term development of Wadden Sea areas exist. This PhD project will support the process understanding of sediment transport, morphological development and system stability in and of Wadden Sea tidal basins that are governed by the complex interaction of tide-, wave- and windinduced currents, turbulence and momentum input. The analyses will be model-based, where import and export of sediments and distributive processes within the Wadden Sea areas (erosion / transport / accretion / consolidation) will be considered. Here we need to integrate i) wave induced currents, ii) undertow-flows and iii) drift currents into process-based hydromorphodynamic models. This requires in the first step a full 3D-hydrodynamic model and as a second step a full morphodynamic modelling of the processes. The highly resolved temporal and spatial climate information used in the project will support the identification and quantification of relevant driving forces.
See also here
Project management: Nada Sayedelahl
