Detailed sediment classification maps of the German North Sea have been produced by the AMIN project, which provides information on sediment distribution offshore. However, sediment dynamics may affect the temporal validity of the maps; hence it is necessary to determine and measure the extent of sediment stability.
Evaluation of bedforms can provide information on the hydrodynamic and geological conditions that control the pattern of sediment distribution offshore. Specifically, bedforms can determine the direction of sediment transport, flow depth, strength of the current, and grain-size distribution.
In this regard, the objective of this study is to conduct a longterm analysis of bedform stability using acoustic data in the German Bight. In particular, we aim to: (1) quantify the rate of movement of bedform boundaries; (2) determine and measure erosional and depositional areas; and (3) identify areas that are highly exposed to sediment variabiltiy and the causes of change. Combination of backscatter images from sidescan sonar and bathymetric data from multibeam echosounder will be utilised for the analyses. Results gathered will be used to determine the temporal validity of sediment maps that were produced by the AMIN I project.
Contact: Daphnie Galvez, Dr. Christian Hass