Investigation of deep sea shelf sandbank dynamics driven by highly energetic tidal flows

Chatzirodou, Antonia; Karunarathna, Harshinie; Reeve, Dominic E.

Abstract

© 2016 The Authors In this paper we describe a numerical modelling study carried out to investigate the prevailing sediment dynamics of two large sandbanks located at a site designated for future development of tidal stream energy extraction, in the Inner Sound Channel of Pentland Firth, Scotland, UK. A calibrated and validated 3D Delft3D hydrodynamic model covering Pentland Firth channel was combined with a morphodynamic model. The sea bed changes occurring around the sandbanks during a period of two spring-neap tidal cycles are described and discussed in detail. It was found that both sandbanks, which are located in a deep shelf region (depths>18m), are morphodynamically active and their existence and integrity are strongly linked with the existing hydrodynamic regime.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 20, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Apr 22, 2016
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jan 17, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 17, 2019
• Journal: Marine Geology
• Print ISSN: 0025-3227
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 380
• Pages: 245-263
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2016.04.011
• Keywords: Pentland Firth; Tidal energy extraction; Sandbanks; Delft3D model; Sediment transport modelling; Morphodynamics
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/907413
• Publisher URL: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2016.04.011
• Related Public URLs: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025322716300652
• Contract Date: Jan 17, 2019