Sediment transport and bathymetric change at Hornafjörður tidal inlet - Field data analysis and mathematical modeling

• Main Author: Klante, Clemens
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: Lunds universitet/Avdelningen för Teknisk vattenresurslära 2018
• Subjects: Coastal Inlet; Hornafjörður; Morphology; TELEMAC; ebb shoal; mathematical modeling; Technology and Engineering; Barrier Island; Höfn; South Barrier; Iceland
• Online Access: http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/8955078

Commercial fishing makes the coastal inlet in Hornafjörður to an important navigational link for the port of Höfn in southeast Iceland. Low water depth caused through sediment accumulation along the ebb shoal generates navigational problems and the phenomenon of glacial rebound seems to intensify this problem. Economic losses caused by the inability of fishing boats to navigate through the coastal inlet due to insufficient water depth along the ebb shoal are estimated with 4.5 million ISK (ca. $ 50.000) per year and effect the local society. This thesis aims to gain a better understanding of the complex morphology caused by large longshore sediment transports and local gradients with the help of mathematical modeling. With this knowledge measures such as structures and different activities to ensure sufficient navigational depth can be implement. A intense investigation of local transport patterns with the help of bathymetry measurements has been carried to intensify the knowledge about local particularities. This knowledge has been used to set up a sufficient mathematical model with the help of the open TELEMAC-MASCARET system. Results show that the morphologic pattern for high energy events are governed by the tidal flow and wave currents to almost same parts and sediment movements along the ebb shoal could be minimized with the implementation of a structure along the south barrier. Island states like Iceland need reliable connections to their harbors to ensure the import and export of goods as well as the wealth of industries like fishing. This connection is determined by a sufficient water depth. In coastal areas, especially along the shore and at coastal inlets the sea bed changes constantly and sedimentation can interrupt the nautical connection to the open sea. Due to that, knowledge about how the sea bed behaves is important to help decision makers and engineers to implement strategies and different coastal structures to retain a sufficient water depth for the navigation of water vessels. Forces ...