The contribution of sand and mud to infilling of tidal basins in response to a closure dam

Human interventions and climate change can heavily influence the large-scale morphological development of tidal basins. This has implications on sediment management strategies, as well ecological recreational purposes. Examples impacted basins are those in Western Dutch Wadden Sea. The closure a large sub-basin 1932 triggered shift budgets remaining basins, leading to infilling that is still ongoing. paper presents quantitative analysis post-closure volumes, differentiating between sand mud. Analysis historical composition data combined with bathymetry revealed intervention caused redistribution mud sedimentation. responses both types differ spatially temporally. total over last century was substantially by (~32%, which much larger than average content bed). Initially, volumes accreted abandoned channels. At present, sedimentation along mainland coast ongoing nearly constant rates past century, while net import significantly decreased time been fluctuating around 0 two decades. research shows importance distinguishing response sandy muddy sediments when analysing morphodynamic impact an intervention, since they operate different spatial scales. Sea level rise currently major threat for existence Sea; its future fate will depend whether flats able keep pace. Our results show supply sufficient pace current sea rates. • Closure contribution not reflected bed composition. were disproportionally filling (~32%).