Nepheloid layers in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuary

School: Science

Program Code: 1082

Objectives:

This project will characterize the nepheloid layers in the Changjiang estuary and develop new numerical models to investigate these layers. It will examine the role of the nepheloid layers in determining coastal ocean dynamics and in transporting sediments from the river to the East China Sea. A comparison study of the nepheloid layer and sediment processes before and after the construction of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) will also be conducted in this project.

Description of Work:

Collect and synthesize pre- and post-TGD sediment, hydrology and meteorology data from the Changjiang estuary and build a multivariate marine and meteorological database for model forcing, validation and calibration;

Develop high resolution hydrodynamics and sediment transport models that are capable of reproducing nepheloid layer process in Changjiang estuary;

Combine observations and models of Changjiang estuary to extend our knowledge about the structure and evolution of nepheloid layers and extent to which current theory and models can make reliable and general predictions of these layers pre- and post-TGD.

Contact:

Dr Xiao Hua Wang hua.wang@adfa.edu.au