River Robots: Utilizing novel autonomous technologies, observations and models to investigate freshwater coastal dispersion

This project will develop and use novel autonomous measuring platforms and state-of-the-art hydrodynamic coastal models to investigate two questions: Q1) How far into the coastal ocean do rivers retain their characteristics? In the warm honey model, artificially high KH means that they lose their identity far too rapidly and uniformly; Q2) How, where and when is terrestrially-derived, water-borne material dispersed into the coastal ocean? The knowledge gained will be relevant to understanding the fate of effluent from fish farms (including chemicals) and other sources of pollution, and inform policies and regulations for the management of the coastal zone.