PLEASE NOTE: Application deadline date 08 Jan 2024. Applications are no longer being accepted for this project
Project Overview
A natural tidal inlet (Pagham Harbour) and managed realignment site (Medmerry) have exhibited significant annual morphological change, making site management challenging. Using historical data, data analysis and modelling, the research will investigate the two sites and seek to explain what causes the observed phases of delta and spit formation.
Project Description
Tidal inlets provide an important protected marine/brackish environment on the open coast. In some instances, these inlets are constrained by walls and jetties, whereas in others the delta and spits respond to the wave, tide and sediment processes to create a highly dynamic system. The two sites, situated in the south coast, illustrate this range of dynamics, have undergone varying degrees of management intervention, and, over recent decades, have benefited from extensive monitoring.
The INSPIRE DTP programme provides comprehensive personal and professional development training alongside extensive opportunities for students to expand their multi-disciplinary outlook through interactions with a wide network of academic, research and industrial/policy partners. The student will be registered at the University of Southampton and hosted at the University of Southampton. Specific training will include:
· How to use coastal data analysis tools (SANDS, CoastalTools, etc);
· Accompany NNRCMP/CCO staff on site surveys, undertake additional site-specific data collection and analysis;
· Training in use of suitable process models of morphological change (TELEMAC, Delft3d, ASMITA);
· How to validate numerical models of morphological change.
Training coding and Machine Learning (Python/Matlab).
Dale J, Burgess H M, Burnside N G, Kilkie P, Nash D J and Cundy A B, 2018, The evolution of embryonic creek systems in a recently inundated large open coast managed realignment site. Anthropocene Coasts, 1 (1), pp. 16-33, 10.1139/anc-2017-0005.
Scott C R, Harris E and Townend I H, 2020, Lessons in applying adaptive management on a dynamic coastline: a case study at the inlet to Pagham Harbour, UK. Anthropocene Coasts, 3 (1), pp. 86-115, 10.1139/anc-2019-0002.
Barcock N W S and Collins M B, 1991, Coastal erosion associated with a tidal inlet: Pagham, West Sussex. PhD, University of Southampton, Southampton.
