Data for Optimising sediment resuspension processes for improved modelling of solid waste in coastal aquaculture
Description
This dataset provides comprehensive measurements and model outputs for studying sediment resuspension dynamics in coastal aquaculture sites. The data were collected to characterize the relative contributions of wave- and current-induced shear stresses on sediment transport in shallow marine environments. Key findings demonstrate that wave-induced shear stress (τ_w) was the dominant driver of sediment resuspension, contributing over 80% of total shear stress at both study sites. Current-induced shear stress (τ_c) showed minimal influence (<10%). The non-linear model revealed enhanced wave-current interactions, particularly when waves and currents approached perpendicular orientations (deflection angle ≈90°). Model validation showed better performance in silt-dominated environments (EL) compared to coarser sediment sites (YB).
Files
Steps to reproduce
The field measurements employed Acoustic Wave and Current Profilers (AWAC, Nortek AS) to measure current velocity profiles with 1 meter vertical resolution, significant wave height and peak period, and wave direction. Complementary Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) recorded near-bottom backscatter data, while YSI EXO2 sondes measured turbidity at 1.8 meters above the seabed, with all instruments collecting data at 30-minute intervals. Sediment sampling utilized HAPS corers with 127 mm diameter to collect seabed sediments. Grain size analysis followed the methods of Strain et al. (2023), laboratory analyses used standard values including sediment density of 2.65 g/cm³ based on quartz standards and kinematic viscosity of 1.26 × 10^-6 m²/s, with critical shear stress calculated using settling velocity formulations. Data processing involved several key steps. Current data underwent smoothing with a 5-point moving average over a 150-minute window, accompanied by tidal analysis using the t_tide MATLAB package. Turbidity data processing included filtering to remove outliers, with thresholds set at less than 0 NTU and greater than 9 NTU at Yellow Bluff, and greater than 15 NTU at East of Lippies, followed by conversion to total suspended solids using the relationship TSS equals 2.02 times turbidity. Shear stress calculations implemented both linear superposition, where total stress equals the sum of current and wave components, and the non-linear Grant-Madsen formulation solved iteratively with a convergence threshold of 10^-5. The Globosed 1D sediment transport model formed the core of the modeling framework, incorporating advection-diffusion equations, resuspension and deposition algorithms, and wave-current boundary layer physics, all calibrated using site-specific sediment parameters. The research employed MATLAB R2024a for tidal analysis and statistical processing and the Globosed software for sediment transport modeling. There are also three excel files which are scenarios set for examining linear versus non-linear formulations. The shear stress calculation processes are included in two matlab files (YB analysis and EL analysis), users can get shear stress calculation results by running the files.
Institutions
- University of Tasmania