Morphodynamics of tidal networks : processes, feedbacks and long-term evolution

ABSTRACT: Tidal networks are characterized by an intricate hierarchy of channels and shoals, acting as one of the most striking morphological features in coastal and estuarine environments. Located at the land-sea boundaries, they are shaped by feedbacks between a variety of processes operating over...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autor: Zhou, Zeng
Tipo de documento: tese
Data de publicação:2015
País:España
Recursos:Universidad de Cantabria (UC)
Repositório:UCrea Repositorio Abierto de la Universidad de Cantabria
Idioma:inglês
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.unican.es:10902/6264
Acesso em linha:http://hdl.handle.net/10902/6264
Access Level:Acceso aberto
Palavra-chave:Tidal networks
Fluvial influence
Intertidal flats
Morphodynamics
Numerical modeling
Canales mareales
Influencia fluvial
Bajos intermareales
Morfodinámica
Modelado numérico
Descrição
Resumo:ABSTRACT: Tidal networks are characterized by an intricate hierarchy of channels and shoals, acting as one of the most striking morphological features in coastal and estuarine environments. Located at the land-sea boundaries, they are shaped by feedbacks between a variety of processes operating over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the effects of the major processes and their associated feedbacks on the long-term morphodynamics of tidal networks. Through a comparative study of physical and numerical modeling of tidal networks, this research indicates that fast- and small-scale models can reproduce the long-term morphological evolution of tidal networks. Quantitative comparisons in terms of a variety of different geometric measures are conducted and suggest that numerical modeling is a useful tool to unravel the mechanisms underlying the morphodynamic behaviors of tidal networks. This research also constructs a comprehensive framework to study the river-influenced tidal network system and explores the physics governing the distribution of different types of sediment on intertidal flats.