Newton Fund - Natural versus anthropogenically driven behaviour of hydrodynamics and sediment dynamics in Yangtze Estuarian Delta
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Civil Engineering and Industrial Design
Abstract
Estuarine deltas are areas where the water and suspended sediment motion are primarily driven by the joint action of input of fresh water by rivers and tide from the sea. Besides being driven by these natural forcing agents, the hydrodynamics and sediment dynamics are frequently affected by a variety of different anthropogenic measures, such as channel dredging, land reclamation, engineering works for flow and sediment controls regulations in the estuaries, and dams in the upstream parts of watersheds. These human activities may lead to strong changes of flow and suspended sediment behaviour in the estuaries. During the last decades many estuarine systems in Europe (e.g. the Elbe, Ems, Loire) have shown increases in tidal range and in turbidity, which seem to be linked to deepening[1]
An estuarine delta system that faces similar problems as European estuaries is the Yangtze Estuary Delta(YED). Analysis of field data collected since the middle of the last century show that there are significant variations in morphological patterns of estuarine channels as well as of subaqueous deltas of the YED that are naturally generated over a thousand-year period. Compared to the European estuaries mentioned above, the YED is much larger in scales, experiences much stronger river discharge, and it is subject to a strong seasonal variation in fresh water. Moreover, it is a complex estuarine network with several branches, connecting channels and a complex delta. The changes of the flow and sediment dynamics in the estuary may result from both local and nonlocal human activities. Despite the intense research efforts over the past two decades, it is still unclear which impact (local or nonlocal) is responsible for the changing flow and sediment characteristics in the estuary.
The proposed research, through bring together a group of leading scientists with complementary expertise from China, UK and Netherlands, is designed to achieve a more systematic understanding of the mechanisms by which flow and sediment dynamics in YED tidal channels are affected by anthropogenic activities, and use this insight to formulate effective coastal management strategies.
An estuarine delta system that faces similar problems as European estuaries is the Yangtze Estuary Delta(YED). Analysis of field data collected since the middle of the last century show that there are significant variations in morphological patterns of estuarine channels as well as of subaqueous deltas of the YED that are naturally generated over a thousand-year period. Compared to the European estuaries mentioned above, the YED is much larger in scales, experiences much stronger river discharge, and it is subject to a strong seasonal variation in fresh water. Moreover, it is a complex estuarine network with several branches, connecting channels and a complex delta. The changes of the flow and sediment dynamics in the estuary may result from both local and nonlocal human activities. Despite the intense research efforts over the past two decades, it is still unclear which impact (local or nonlocal) is responsible for the changing flow and sediment characteristics in the estuary.
The proposed research, through bring together a group of leading scientists with complementary expertise from China, UK and Netherlands, is designed to achieve a more systematic understanding of the mechanisms by which flow and sediment dynamics in YED tidal channels are affected by anthropogenic activities, and use this insight to formulate effective coastal management strategies.
Planned Impact
The overall purpose of the proposal is to improve understanding and predictions of coastal river delta evolution together with associated risk and hazards (or benefits) to navigation channels, eaches and wide coastal zones.
The principal beneficiaries of the improved understanding achieved in this project are: land usrs-owners / farmers, coastal dwellers, businesses, Port Authorities, Renewable Operators and the wider population using coastal infrastructure in both China and Europe. National governments and agencies such as the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Crown Estate, Local Authorities, Environment Agencies as well as consulting engineers will benefit from an improved modelling basis for advice on coastal estuarine delta management strategies, development of Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) and more cost effective design of engineering intervention schemes.
The consistent approach to morphological prediction and subsequent geomorphological assessment in the proposal emphasises the understanding of geomorphological processes on a range of timescales and spatial scales. This contextualisation enhances the ability to validate models of long-term geomorphic change within the perspective of local change and helps to establish the interrelationships between geomorphological context and the major risks/benefits associated with the morphological changes as the results of either climate change or anthropogenic effects.
The principal beneficiaries of the improved understanding achieved in this project are: land usrs-owners / farmers, coastal dwellers, businesses, Port Authorities, Renewable Operators and the wider population using coastal infrastructure in both China and Europe. National governments and agencies such as the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Crown Estate, Local Authorities, Environment Agencies as well as consulting engineers will benefit from an improved modelling basis for advice on coastal estuarine delta management strategies, development of Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) and more cost effective design of engineering intervention schemes.
The consistent approach to morphological prediction and subsequent geomorphological assessment in the proposal emphasises the understanding of geomorphological processes on a range of timescales and spatial scales. This contextualisation enhances the ability to validate models of long-term geomorphic change within the perspective of local change and helps to establish the interrelationships between geomorphological context and the major risks/benefits associated with the morphological changes as the results of either climate change or anthropogenic effects.
People |
ORCID iD |
Ping Dong (Principal Investigator) | |
Peter A Davies (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Shi H
(2021)
A theoretical formulation of dilatation/contraction for continuum modelling of granular flows
in Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Shi H
(2019)
A two-phase SPH model for massive sediment motion in free surface flows
in Advances in Water Resources
Wen H
(2020)
Numerical analysis of wave-induced current within the inhomogeneous coral reef using a refined SPH model
in Coastal Engineering
Xu C
(2021)
Modelling the Effects of Multiple Fractal Dimensions on the Flocculation and Resuspension Processes of Cohesive Sediment
in Frontiers in Marine Science
Description | The existing numerical models are incapable of reproduce long-term changes of bed morphology without accurate input data |
Exploitation Route | Disseminate to wider stakeholders |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Environment |
Description | A flood risk analysis and management system was developed for the Yangtze Estuary based on the data and modelling results from this join project. The key technologies include 1) An AI-based method for disaster morphology recognition linking the occurrence flood event with the sand wave types and movement of maximum turbidity zone. This is a tool that can be used to plan for both flood control engineering scheme and optimize the current management practice. 2) Discover the strong influence of changes in tidal dynamics at the Yangtze Estuary on the flood prevention capability of Huangpu River in Shanghai. 3) Develop a software package for monitoring the changes in water level in navigation channels which have been adopted by Port Authority as a decision-making tool used in various port management activities including channel surveying, dredging and maritime safety. |
First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
Sector | Construction,Environment |
Impact Types | Policy & public services |
Description | Data-based risk management system |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or Improved professional practice |
Impact | A flood risk analysis and management system was developed for the Yangtze Estuary based on the data and modelling results from this join project. The key technologies include 1) An AI-based method for disaster morphology recognition linking the occurrence flood event with the sand wave types and movement of maximum turbidity zone. This is a tool that can be used to plan for both flood control engineering scheme and optimize the current management practice. 2) Discover the strong influence of changes in tidal dynamics at the Yangtze Estuary on the flood prevention capability of Huangpu River in Shanghai. |
Title | Water level variations in navigation channel |
Description | A software package for monitoring the changes in water level in navigation channels which have been adopted by Port Authority as a decision making tool used in various port management activities including channel surveying, dredging and maritime safety. |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | No quantitative information available. |
Description | Xiping Yu |
Organisation | Tsinghua University China |
Country | China |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | research discussions |
Collaborator Contribution | Joint publication |
Impact | 10.1016/j.advwatres.2019.05.006 |
Start Year | 2019 |