Conceptual Model for Sediment Transport in SF Bay Presented to CFWG June 10, 2009

Background (Craig Jones, Sea Engineering) Understanding of contaminant fate and transport must be developed through a thorough understanding of hydrodynamics, sediment, and then contaminant transport in the system. Overall, robust descriptions of hydrodynamics and circulation patterns exist in San Francisco Bay Although a great deal of outstanding work in sediment transport in the Bay has been done, a comprehensive well-accepted conceptual site model has not been developed. Numerical models of sediment transport in San Francisco Bay have been application specific and do not address many of the needs for understanding contaminant transport.

Background (Craig Jones, Sea Engineering) Without a good basic quantitative understanding of hydrodynamics and sediment transport processes, it is extremely difficult to develop a quantitative understanding of contaminant transport The most quantitative description of transport in the Bay can be, and has been to an extent, compartmentalized into understanding of various hot spots

Proposal ($25k) Goals: –to develop a conceptual model of sediment transport in San Francisco Bay –use existing data only (i.e., no field component). –integrate and interpret existing information on sediment transport in natural and urbanized estuaries –attempt to extend that information to the Bay –attempt to elucidate the influence of nearshore regions (i.e., margins) on the overall sediment budget. –identify critical information gaps –help local stakeholders manage sediment, and contaminants, more effectively Deliverable: –technical report summarizing understanding of sediment transport in SF Bay

Proposal ($25k) Potential collaborators: –Dave Schoellhamer (USGS) –Craig Jones (Sea Engineering) –David Ralston (WHOI) –USGS Woods Hole –Patrick Barnard & Dan Hanes (USGS Santa Cruz) –Others ?