Ghent University, Renard Centre of Marine Geology

Management Unit of the Mathematical Models of the North Sea

Catholic University Leuven, Hydraulics LaboratoryCatholic University Leuven, Regional Geology

Flanders Hydraulics i.c.w. Maritime Services, Flemish Government

Ghent University, Marine Biology SectionRBINS, Dept. InvertebratesFlanders Marine Institute

QUantification of Erosion/Sedimentation patterns to Trace the natural from the anthropogenically-inducedsediment dynamics

BelSPO-SSDStrategic Research Network

2007-2009-2010

SSD Priority Research Topics

Quest4D is an oriented-basic research project offering a basis for decision-making and contributing to (inter)national research efforts related to:

Process studies Impacts of anthropic and natural pressures Evaluating and developing integrated policy and

management measures

Why ?

Up-to-date impact studies remain inconclusive, regardless of the extensive field work and modelling exercises; mostly NO baseline studies; still

Marine Strategy Directive: Aiming at a ‘good’ ecological status of the

marine waters in the near future; need for Setting realistic environmental targets; Well-balanced monitoring programmes; Assessing natural vs anthropic pressure and

variability Ecosystem goods and services

CHALLENGES Conservation of biological diversity Conservation of biological resources Conservation of living and recreational

space

Three major trends Changes in hydrodynamics and sediment dynamics (e.g. sea level rise, coastal

protection) Changes in biogeochemical cycles (eutrophication, new substances, restoration) Biological change (species changes, foodweb, mariculture)

Changing Coastal Seas

DRIVERS Climate change Intensification of use Societal change

Analysis, monitoring and prediction Efficient and economical monitoring systems

Regional system models

Linking observation and models

Enabling a Science-based management of coastal waters

sensu Colijn, 2009

Process studies

MeasurementsMorphologySedimentologyBiologyHydrodynamic and sediment transport

InstrumentationMultibeam bathymetrySide-scan sonarBoxcoringGrab samplingSeismicsFree fall penetrometer

Multi-sensor tripod

Active CooperationUG-RCMGUG-MarbioMUMMWL

Historic samples

Characterisation of erosion/deposition areas

Process Modelling Development of integrated models

(hydrodynamic-sand/mud transport – wave) incl. the offshore, nearshore, foreshore-beach and Scheldt estuary

Sediment transport: sand-mud interaction: NEW bed model

Wetting-drying schemes Dynamic coupling of currents-waves

MUMM (coordinator) KUL

• Coherens model• Sediment transport (sand/mud)• Flocculation model

• Telemac model, WAM• Dynamic coupling currents-waves• Sediment transport (sand)

WL

• Delft 3D• Sediment transport (mud)• Idealized modelling to address impact studies

Model intercomparison

Model intercomparisonModel intercomparisona.o. Exchange of boundary conditions

Minimising differences between observations and model output! Bottom vs surface processes

Fine-tuning of parameters

< process studies

Data managementhttp://www.mumm.ac.be/datacentre/Databases/QUEST4D/index.php

Selection criteria

Today’ purpose

To discuss new measurements, observations and findings of the last 2yr. Issues: Influences on sediment transport; Larger scale sediment fluxes (sand/mud)

Discussing ways how to upgrade the data into tangible environmental targets and indicators of use for a sustainable management of our seas (goal next 2yr). Issues: Significance of anthropogenically-induced changes vs natural

variability; Views on sustainable exploitation (dredging, extraction,

coastal protection); Monitoring of cause and effect: practical approaches?

A common goal for the future ?