Processes Controlling Transfer of Fine-Grained Sediment Within and Between Channels and Flats on Intertidal Flats

A long-term goal of our sediment transport and accumulation investigations is to link sedimenttransport processes to the formation and preservation of event beds in sediment deposits. The general aim of this project is to investigate how forcing processes affect the sediment-transport dynamics that act to import or export fine-grained sediment in intertidal regions. We strive to understand how the delicate balance of ebb and flood sediment fluxes is maintained to create a stable (or unstable) tidal flat complex that is characterized by tidal channels and variable seabed stability. Our goal is to answer the question: What influence do tidal (semidiurnal, fortnightly), riverine and other seasonal (winds/waves, precipitation temperature, and biological) processes have on the transfer of sediment between tidal-flat environments, and how is this manifested in terms of channel and flat deposits?