Suspended Sediment and Seabed Modifications Driven by Energetic Waves and a Strong Coastal Current

Estimates of sediment concentrations and flux in coastal oceans can help predict optical and acoustical water properties, interpret remotely sensed coastal data, and characterize seafloor morphology. Predicting turbidity requires that we account for processes that erode, supply, and redistribute sediment; including storms, floods, winds, tides, and energetic waves. In many environments, particularly estuaries and offshore of river mouths, doing so requires that we consider both horizontal and vertical flux gradients. Including advances in sediment transport dynamics and bottom boundary layer structure within three-dimensional transport models should improve our ability to predict turbidity, sediment flux, and erosion and deposition.