An Environmental Fluid Dynamics Laboratory in the Field: studies and numerical modeling of hydrodynamics, morphodynamics and invertebrate ecology in river meanders

• Applicant: Dr. Alexander Sukhodolov, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Limnology, Urban Water Management, Water Chemistry, Integrated Water Resources Management
• Term: from 2008 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 76900225

Turbulent flows govern transport processes, morphodynamics and thus also ecosystem functioning in rivers. In spite of increased computational capacity, uncomfortable uncertainties still persist in the modeling of complex natural water bodies. The proposed research examines by linked laboratory, numerical and field-scale approaches the relationships between complex flow, morphology and ecology in meander bends, including their effect on aquatic invertebrate distribution and use of food resources. The field studies will be generalized by numerical simulations which will contribute to refine ecological modeling. The hydrodynamic and morphodynamic studies in bended sections of two lowland rivers will provide detailed datasets on the cross-sections (bed morphology and composition) and on flow patterns (mean, secondary and turbulent flows), and will facilitate the elaboration and validation of numerical codes. These hydromorphological data will be related to those on habitat and food availability, invertebrate distribution, drift and diversity, and resulting changes in food web structure. This will enable to develop an improved modeling approach for these biological variables. The proposed research is a follow-up project of a joint IGB-TU Delft research project on shallow mixing layers, and is part of a larger joint research program on meander bends by IGB, TU Delft and EPF Lausanne.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Netherlands
• Participating Persons: Privatdozent Dr. Koen Blanckaert; Dr. Martin Pusch; Professor Dr. Guus S. Stelling; Professor Dr. Wim S.J. Uijttewaal