Title and Outline VIMS Coastal Hydrodynamics and Sediment Dynamics Lab Carl Friedrichs, Grace Cartwright, Lindsey Kraatz, Carissa Wilkerson, Kelsey Fall Title and Outline Carl Grace Lindsey Carissa Kelsey

VIMS Coastal Hydrodynamics and Sediment Dynamics Lab Carl Friedrichs, *Grace Cartwright, Lindsey Kraatz, Carissa Wilkerson, *Kelsey Fall Past W&M Geology Senior Projects in CHSD Lab: *2010-2011 Intro Geo Lab TAs Donte Newbill (2010) Ben Lewis (2009) Sam Bruno (2008) Katie Luciano (2007) Mac Lee (2004) Becky Roper (2003) Lynsey Ellis (2002) Carrie Snyer (2000)

New NSF project “Improved Observation, Analysis and Modeling of Fine Sediment Dynamics in Turbid, Biologically Active Coastal Environments” Understanding fine sediment transport is critical to managing coastal water quality and ecological health, and to understanding coastal ecology, chemical fluxes and the geological record. Bed erodibility and suspended particle settling velocity are the two largest unknowns limiting accurate prediction of sediment transport in muddy coastal environments. Erodibility and settling velocity are difficult to predict because physical and biological effects fundamentally impact them over short scales and feedback on each other. Primary motivations (Work by L. Schaffner, VIMS) York River – Chesapeake Bay: Higher energy, sediment transport disturbs benthos Lower energy, sediment biologically processed

10 cm 10 km Map showing real-time observing sites along with example x-radiographs (from L. Schaffner). In the upper York River estuary, disturbance by sediment transport reduces macrobenthic activity and sediment layering is often preserved. In the lower York, layering is more often destroyed by bioturbation.

Grid generated for ROMS 3D Model (Rinehimer 2008)

Example 3-D model run of York River estuary (from Rinehimer)

Title and Outline VIMS Coastal Hydrodynamics and Sediment Dynamics Lab Carl Friedrichs, Grace Cartwright, Lindsey Kraatz, Carissa Wilkerson, Kelsey Fall Title and Outline Carl Grace Lindsey Carissa Kelsey