Monday October 6th, 4pm, Mann Hall 323
Abstract: Lateral exchange of momentum and suspended sediment between an open channel and fringing vegetation is important for river-floodplain interactions and tidal marsh dynamics. Here experimental results are described for lateral turbulent exchange at the boundary between a straight open channel and a region of model emergent vegetation. Evidence is given for coherent structures formed by shear instability that contribute significantly to lateral fluxes. Based on experimental results, a simple model is presented for lateral exchange of suspended sediment in a channel with fringing vegetation. The model accounts for both turbulent exchange and advection from overbank flooding and can be used for morphodynamic modeling in tidal marshes and river floodplains.