STABLE II-an improved benthic lander for the study of turbulentwave-current-bed interactions and associated sediment transport

摘要

Wave-current-seabed interactions in shallow water have botheconomic importance and relevance for researchers working onwave-tide-surge models. The turbulence resulting from such interactionsinduces sediment resuspension. Tidal-flow patterns and the behaviour ofstorm-surges are modified, leading to possible inaccuracies in tidalpredictions and water-circulation models. In extreme cases under adversemeteorological conditions, accurate storm-surge warnings or the lack ofthem can have major economic and public safety implications. In deeperwater, turbulent seabed interactions influence the movement of watermasses, kinetic energy and sediment onto and off the continental shelf.Instruments which can measure comprehensively the phenomena leading tothese interactions are still rare. However, modern electronics, improvedenergy sources and sensors, sophisticated software and greatly enlargeddata-stores are encouraging engineers apparatus capable of monitoringthe environment with adequate rigor. STABLE II is one of thesenew-generation instruments. Although a development of an earlierconcept, it is actually a completely new apparatus. It has both improvedendurance and capability, and represents an attempt to provide much ofthe information required by hydrodynamicists, modellers andsedimentologists