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MUDBED

MUltiDisciplinary Benthic Exchange Dynamics

A CBED project funded by the NSF CoOP and ORION Programs

Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary

Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center of Environmental Science

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This study placed real-time remote observing platforms at locations of contrasting benthic physical disturbance characterized by strong gradients in benthic ecology, seabed characteristics, and suspended particle properties. A combination of acoustic and video imaging of the seabed and lower water column were used to identify changes in biologic activity, deposition, erosion, suspended-sediment properties, and bedform evolution that were correlated to changes in bed erodability. Cruises employing real-time shipboard surveys tracked events, measured the evolution of erodability, key physical and geochemical properties, and biological activity and assemblages. Open-source numerical modeling of bed evolution, erosion and deposition, and water column processes was coupled to the observing effort in an effort to advance predictability of fine sediment transport.

For more information contact: Carl Friedrichs 

Papers

Cartwright, G.M., C.T. Friedrichs, P.J. Dickhudt, T. Gass, and F.H. Farmer, 2009. Using the acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) in the MUDBED real-time observing system. OCEANS 2009 MTS/IEEE, ISBN: 978-0-933957-38-1, 9 p.

Dickhudt, P.J., C.T. Friedrichs, and L.P. Sanford, 2010. Mud matrix solids fraction and bed erodibility in the York River, USA, and other muddy environments. Continental Shelf Research, doi:10.1016/j.crs.2010.02.008, 11 p.

Dickhudt, P.J., C.T. Friedrichs, L.C. Schaffner, and L.P. Sanford, 2009. Spatial and temporal variation in cohesive sediment erodibility in the York River estuary: a biologically-influenced equilibrium modified by seasonal deposition. Marine Geology, 267: 128-140.

Friedrichs, C.T., 2009. York River physical oceanography and sediment transport. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 57: 17-22.

Friedrichs, C.T., 2010. Barotropic tides in channelized estuaries. In: A. Valle-Levinson (ed.), Contemporary Issues in Estuarine Physics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, p. 27-61.

Friedrichs, C.T., G.M. Cartwright, and P.J. Dickhudt, 2008. Quantifying benthic exchange of fine sediment via continuous, non-invasive measurements of settling velocity and bed erodibility. Oceanography, 21(4): 168-172.

Huijts, K.M.H., H.M. Schuttelaars, H.E. de Swart and C.T. Friedrichs, 2009. Analytical study of the transverse distribution of along-channel and transverse residual flows in tidal estuaries. Continental Shelf Research, 29: 89-100.

Mied, R.P., T.F. Donato and C.T. Friedrichs, 2006. Eddy generation in the tidal Potomac River. Estuaries and Coasts, 29: 1067-1080.

Rinehimer, J.P., C.K. Harris, C.R. Sherwood and L.P. Sanford, 2008. Estimating cohesive sediment erosion and consolidation in a muddy, tidally-dominated environment: model behavior and sensitivity, In: M.L. Spaulding (ed.), Estuarine and Coastal Modeling, Vol. 10, American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, VA, p. 819-838.

Scully, M.E., and C.T. Friedrichs, 2007. The importance of tidal and lateral asymmetries in stratification to residual circulation in partially-mixed estuaries. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 37: 1496-1511.

Scully, M.E., and C.T. Friedrichs, 2007. Sediment pumping by tidal asymmetry in a partially-mixed estuary. Journal of Geophysical Research, 112, C07028, doi:10.1029/2006JC003784.

Smith, S.J., and C.T. Friedrichs, 2010. Size distributions and settling velocities of cohesive flocs and suspended sediment aggregates in a trailing suction hopper dredge plume. Continental Shelf Research, doi:10.1016/j.crs.2010.04.002.

Student Theses and REU Reports

Bruno, S., 2008. Seasonal and spatial trends in biological versus physical influences on sediment settling velocity in the York River estuary. Senior Thesis, Department of Geology, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA.

Darden, L., 2008. Effect of tides on sediment height and biogenic activity. NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Project Report, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, VA.

Dickhudt, P.J., 2008. Controls on erodibility in a partially mixed estuary: York River, Virginia. M.S. Thesis, School of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA.

Fletcher, T., 2006. The correlation of sediment profile images to dissolved oxygen concentrations found in hypoxic zones of the York River in Virginia and Pepper Creek in Delaware. NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Project Report, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, VA.

Gelinas, M.E., 2009. Benthic regeneration as a source of nutrients in the York River. Senior Thesis, Department of Geology, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA.

Haines, A., 2010. Effects of current and bioturbation on sediment reduction-oxidation. NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Project Report, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, VA.

Kowalczk, A., 2005. The application of digital x-radiograph imaging for the determination of bulk density. NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Project Report, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, VA.

Lewis, B.D., 2009. Controls of suspended sediment particle size in the York River estuary. Senior Thesis, Department of Geology, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA.

Mroz, E., 2006. Biological versus physical controls on seabed erodibility in a muddy, partially mixed estuary. NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Project Report, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, VA.

Mulvey, L., 2007. A time series study of meiofauna at two sites on the York River estuary. NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Project Report, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, VA.

Rinehimer, J.P., 2008. Sediment transport and erodibility in the York River estuary: a model study. M.S. Thesis, School of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA.

Rodríguez-Calderón, C., 2010. Spatial and temporal patterns in erosional and depositional processes: physical and biological controls in the York River, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. M.S. Thesis, School of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA.

Scott, R., 2008. The use of acoustic Doppler velocimeter measurements to infer the evolution of seabed erodibility in the York River estuary. NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Project Report, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, VA.

Scully, M.E., 2005. The interaction between stratification, circulation, and sediment transport in a partially-mixed estuary. Ph.D. Thesis, School of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA.

Simon, M., 2007. Seasonal sediment erodibility and tidal effects in an idealized numerical model of the York River estuary. NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Project Report, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, VA.

Vandever, J.P., 2007. Acoustic measurement and modeling of waves in estuarine and coastal environments. M.S. Thesis, School of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA.