Factors influencing subaqueous dunes in the Scheldt Estuary
Francken, F.; Wartel, S.; Parker, R.; Taverniers, E. (2004). Factors influencing subaqueous dunes in the Scheldt Estuary. Geo-Mar. Lett. 24(1): 14-21. dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00367-003-0154-x
In: Geo-Marine Letters. Springer: Heidelberg; Berlin. ISSN 0276-0460; e-ISSN 1432-1157, more
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| Keywords |
Topographic features > Beach features > Dunes
Brackish water; Fresh water |
| Authors | | Top |
- Francken, F., more
- Wartel, S., more
- Parker, R.
- Taverniers, E., more
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| Abstract |
The size (wavelength and height) and the factors influencing the characteristics of subaqueous dunes in the river Scheldt between Antwerp and the Belgian-Dutch border were studied. More than 60 dune clusters (each cluster represented by a mean height and wavelength of mostly 10 to 20 or more observations) were analysed. A very good exponential correlation between dune height and wavelength was observed (r=0.90) which can be described by H-mean=0.0321L0.918. Length/depth ratios vary between 0.2 and 9, height/depth ratios between 0.25 and 0.01. There was no clear relationship between current velocity and dune size, as dunes of various sizes co-exist at the same current velocities. Twenty-two dunes were sampled and show grain sizes (d50) ranging between 0.1 and 0.7 mm. Seven out of eight large scale dune fields were found in sandy and/or hard bottom (gravel, coarse sand and shell fragments) environments, whereas small and medium dunes were found in muddy sand and sandy mud environments. |
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