A l-D tidally resolving hydrodynamic model of the Tweed Estuary has been encoded using the Estuarine Contaminant Simulator, ECoS. The model results of axial and time series variations in water elevation, salinity and turbidity are compared to field data recorded during the LOIS survey programme. The organic and inorganic controls on estuarine pH have also been investigated by encoding a new template to predict the effect of changing salinity and temperature on the pH of estuarine water. The template has been coupled to the hydrodynamic model to predict pH variations in the estuary. The model results have shown conservative behaviour of the inorganic carbon system through out the majority of the estuary, but also identified an area of potentially high photosynthetic activity near the limit of saline intrusion during periods of low summer flows. Low (< 2 ^g 1"') concentrations of chlorophyll a in the water column and increases in pH correlated with tidal inundation of the river estuary banks imply that benthic photosynthetic process are important water chemistry in the upper estuary. The effects of salinity, turbidity and pH on Kd(Cd) and K<i(Zn) has been investigated using radiotracer incubation experiments and analytically determined measurements. The results show a reduction in IQ with increased salinity, but that the K<iS determined analytically are an order of magnitude higher than those measured when radiotracers are used. Analytically determined K<iS are reduced with increasing SPM concentration and increased at higher pH. Although no photosynthetically mediated control of radiotracer uptake was identified partitioning was significantly reduced (> 90 %) when a metabolic inhibitor was added. The Kd has been encoded as an exchange transfer and used to predict axial distributions and the flux of these metals from the riverine catchment to the sea. Model results indicate that the partition coefficients determined fi-om the radiotracer studies can not fully account for the analytically determined distribution between phases. It is hypothesised that colloids and Fe-Mn oxides precipitates play a significant role in trace metal transpon in low turbidity, high pH conditions. The results have implications for the measurement and modelling of chemical fluxes in low turbidity systems.

Hydrokinetic tidal power is a novel and emergent technology undergoing continuous advancement with much of the progress focused on large utility scale projects. This resource is potentially underutilized because much of the coastal United States, despite having substantial tidal currents, do not have the deep and wide environments required by most of the developing turbine technology. This dissertation includes a detailed characterization of the tidal hydrodynamics for Rose Dhu Island, Georgia used for a tidal energy resource assessment as well as a general feasibility study for tidal estuaries with extensive wetlands. For predictions and evaluation of the estuarine hydrodynamics, data from an existing numerical model of the estuary encompassing the island is utilized. Field measurements in close proximity to the island are used to calibrate the model as well as characterize local hydrodynamic features. After the model calibration, the simulation data is used to evaluate the hydrodynamics. Wetland dominated estuaries commonly have a high degree of non-linear distortion which govern the relative durations and strengths of the tidal stages and thus the overall hydrodynamics and incoming hydrokinetic energy. The Ogeechee Estuary is characterized as ebb dominant with peak ebb and flood volume fluxes near high tide as a result of the increased storage capacity of the wetlands. Lowering the average wetland elevation in the model decreased ebb dominance and quickened the transition from flood to ebb tide. Increased domain friction in the model removed energy from the system and reduced ebb dominance. Enhanced model marsh friction reduced lateral flooding of the wetlands as well as ebb dominance. Localized measurements surrounding the island are analyzed to determine a location near the southwest coast of the island as a hydrokinetic energy hotspot. A kinematic and dynamic analysis is performed using channel transect measurements to identify key physical processes behind the hotspot formation. The hotspot forms due to sub-critical flow acceleration over a singular bump in the topography. High streamwise momentum is further concentrated at the hotspot due to secondary circulation cells across the channel. Flood tide circulation is characterized by two co-rotating cells induced by channel curvature and delineated by the bump. Ebb circulation consists of two counter-rotating cells from flow confluence of two upstream channels. Once the hydrodynamics are understood, the theoretical and technical resource assessment of the island is completed. A sensitivity analysis of hydrokinetic energy and tidal distortion is performed on synthetic data. For a principle constituent and its first harmonic, distortion greatly changes as does the distribution of velocities and energy as the relative phase varies. While the theoretical energy remains consistent, the technical energy can greatly vary. This effect is reduced with the addition semi-lunar variation. Using a simplified analytical method, the maximum average channel power is estimated as 8.80 MW. For the hotspot it is estimated that there is 30.3 MWh available to capture yearly with an average power of 3.46 kW for a turbine with an area of 10 square meters. For the same turbine area with conservative efficiencies, the hotspot could provide a yearly technical energy of 10.9 MWh with an average power of 1.25kW for the island. Due to the complex localized hydrodynamics, both the theoretical and technical resource varies greatly across and along the channel. These considerations are more pertinent when performing a hydrokinetic energy resource assessment in a marsh estuary than for large scale bay-ocean exchange environments, the present industry focus.

Tide-influenced point bars represent a significant proportion of shallow-marine deposits, commonly developed along meandering channels in most backbarrier and estuarine systems. However, sedimentological studies to characterize this type of deposit are still emerging. They often present very heterogeneous internal architectures which development is controlled by the complex flow patterns operating in tidal environments. The study of the sedimentological and morphological characteristics of these features provides better understanding of the hydrodynamic processes that shape coastal systems and control their evolution as well as it contributes to better reservoir potential prediction and production strategy optimization, as tidal point bars may represent hydrocarbon reservoirs in subsurface and their heterogeneous characteristics directly impact reservoir quality. In this study, we investigated six modern tidal point bars located along distinct estuarine tidal channels in Georgia. Using core data, 2D shallow seismic data and current measurements and flow velocity profiles, we discussed the main hydrodynamic controls on sediment transport and distribution, and determined how they affect the morphology, the internal architecture and the sediment distribution within these bars. We confirmed that the influence of fluvial input in tidal channels plays an important role on the development of the morphology and the heterogeneous architecture of point bars as it adds more complexity to the system hydrodynamics, promoting more asymmetric variations in water level fluctuations and huge variations of current velocities. We proved that point bars developed in distinct tide-influenced channels and estuaries, although present very different sedimentary facies distribution, may have sedimentary facies in common, which organization is analogous to surface processes operating at each environment. We demonstrated that differences in tidal asymmetries between the ebb and flood channels produce sedimentological differences between the different parts of the bar. This study showed that tidal point bars present distinct heterogeneous sediment distributions, morphologies and internal architectures that do not conform to the existing theoretical models of fluvial point bars and highlighted that, despite the differences in local hydrodynamic conditions, similarities identified between the different bars permitted us to distinguish the sedimentological responses to regional allogenic events, which can be mistakenly interpreted as sedimentological responses to local autogenic events.

Intra-archipelago waterways, including tidal strait networks, present a complex set of barriers to, and conduits for sediment transport between marine basins. Tidal straits may also be the least well understood tide-dominated sedimentary environment. To address these issues, currents, sediment transport pathways, and seabed sedimentology & geomorphology were studied in the central Salish Sea (Gulf and San Juan Islands region) of British Columbia, Canada and Washington State, USA. A variety of data types were integrated: 3D & 2D tidal models, multibeam bathymetry & backscatter, seabed video, grab samples, cores and seismic reflection. This dissertation included the first regional sediment transport modelling study of the central Salish Sea. Lagrangian particle dispersal simulations were driven by 2D tidal hydrodynamics (~59-days). It was found that flood-tide dominance through narrow intra-archipelago connecting straits resulted in the transfer of sediment into the inland Strait of Georgia, an apparent sediment sink. The formative/maintenance processes at a variety of seabed landforms, including a banner bank with giant dunes, were explained with modelled tides and sediment transport. Deglacial history and modern lateral sedimentological and morphological transitions were also considered. Based on this modern environment, adjustments to the tidal strait facies model were identified. In addition, erosion and deposition patterns across the banner bank (dune complex) were monitored with 8-repeat multibeam sonar surveys (~10 years). With these data, spatially variable bathymetric change detection techniques were explored: A) a cell-by-cell probabilistic depth uncertainty-based threshold (t-test); and B) coherent clusters of change pixels identified with the local Moran's Ii spatial autocorrelation statistic. Uncertainty about volumetric change is a considerable challenge in seabed change research, compared to terrestrial studies. Consideration of volumetric change confidence intervals tempers interpretations and communicates metadata. Techniques A & B may both be used to restrict volumetric change calculations in area, to exclude low relative bathymetric change signal areas. / Graduate / 2018-12-07