Skip to content

Theoretical and Observational Estimates of Nearshore Bedload Transport Rates

Theoretical and Observational Estimates of Nearshore Bedload Transport Rates

Goud, M.R. and D.G. Aubrey
Marine Geology, Vol. 64, pp. 91-111, 1985 WHOI-R-85-001
Sediment transport rates in a shallow (<3 m) nearshore region are estimated using theoretical models and using bedform migration rates measured from vertical aerial photographs covering a 10-year interval. Theoretical rates based solely on asymmetrical tidal currents are as much as an order of magnitude smaller than the observed rates, but inclusion of storm wave effects in the theoretical predictions brings them into better agreement with observations. This suggests that even in tidally dominated, protected regions with low background wave energy, infrequent storm wave events significantly modify sand transport rates and patterns.