hydrodynamic and sedimentary regimes forms the foundation for understanding 

 the complex ecosystem dynamics. Mathematical modeling is the only viable 

 means to incorporate all the detailed dynamics into a quantitative predictive 

 tool . 



1.3 Past Modeling Studies 



Comprehensive modeling studies of coastal currents and sediment 

 transport, incorporating all the major components shown in Figure 1.1, are 

 relatively scarce. This is partly due to the lack of detailed understanding 

 on the complex hydrodynamic and sedimentary processes, and partly due to the 

 lack of efficient mathematical models suitable for long-term simulations. 

 Sheng and Lick (1979) and Sheng (1980) studied the waves, currents, and 

 transport of cohesive sediments over a large coastal area of Lake Erie, a 

 large lake comparable in size to the Long Island Sound. A three-dimensional 

 hydrodynamic model was used to compute the wind-driven currents while a 

 parametric wave model was used to compute the bottom orbital currents. 

 Results from these models were then used as input to a three-dimensional 

 sediment transport model. Deposition and entrainment of cohesive sediments 

 were studied in the laboratory and results properly incorporated into the 

 model. Simulation was performed over a three-day period and model results 

 compared well with data. Swain and Houston (1982) studied the currents and 

 transport of non-cohesive sediments around a beach using a two-dimensional 

 numerical model. Ariathurai et al . (1977) used a two-dimensional, 

 finite-element model to study the transport of cohesive sediments in the 

 Savannah River over one tidal cycle. Koh and Chang (1973) developed a model 

 for predicting the short-term fate of dredged material after disposal. 

 Simplified ambient flow conditions were assumed and the entrainment process 

 was not included. 



Models of varying degrees of complexity for computing coastal currents 

 are available and are reviewed in Chapter 2. Relevant sediment transport 

 models are discussed in Chapters 6 and 7. 



