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Validation of the ASMITA-marshes model : an application to the Langstone Harbour estuary

Middelkamp, J. (2009) Validation of the ASMITA-marshes model : an application to the Langstone Harbour estuary.

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Abstract:Tidal inlets form an important part of coastlines in the world. These inlets are a very interesting site for research due to all the processes in these inlets. One of the most important processes is the exchange of sediment within the inlet. this sediment exchange determines the long-term development of the tidal inlet. The ASMITA model predicts this long-term development. Many tidal inlets form a habitat for salt marshes. ASMITA has been extended to represent estuaries with salt marshes. The objective of this study is to validate the ASMITA salt marsh application to test how the prediction corresponds to observed estuaries. This objective is satisfied by answering the following main research question: How are parameters used in the ASMITA salt marsh model related to each other and how reliable are the model predictions compared with measured data? In order to answer this main question, the following sub-search questions are formulated: - How do the vegetation parameters affect the ASMITA-salt marsh model? - To which parameters is the model most sensitive? - What are the differences between the model predictions and the real behaviour of the salt marsh and, if necessary, how can the model be improved to give a better result? - How do regional differences affect the vegetation parameters and the model prediction? In this research the ASMITA-salt marsh model was applied to the Langstone Harbour tidal inlet (UK). There was also data retrieved for marshes in the Western Scheldt (Netherlands), but due to a lack of time these data could not be tested. There was very little information available for the vegetation parameters used in the model. This is the reason why two scenarios were tested in the model: one scenario with standard vegetation parameters and another scenario with estimated vegetation parameters. The prediction of the scenario with estimated parameters showed a satisfying prediction. For the marsh the volume prediction was very good. The predictions for the other elements were worse than in the scenario with standard parameters. The Langstone Harbour estuary showed a massive dying of Spartina Anglica, a marsh species. Due to this the marsh erodes fast. The recommendation is made to test the ASMITA-salt marsh model to an estuary were this is not the case, for example the Western Scheldt.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:ET: Engineering Technology
Subject:56 civil engineering
Programme:Civil Engineering BSc (56952)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/68913
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