Surface Wave Interactions with Cohesive Sediments

Surface waves transform in shallow water due to nonlinear interactions between wave frequencies and interactions with currents, sediment, and vegetation. Cohesive sediments and aquatic vegetation have dissipative effects on surface waves and can modulate surface wave spectra. We are interested in studying these processes using analytical and numerical wave models.

Related publications:

Kaihatu, J. M., Tahvildari, N. (2012) "The combined effect of wave-current interaction and mud-induced damping on nonlinear wave", Ocean Modelling, 41, 22-34, DOI: 10.1016/j.ocemod.2011.10.004.

Inverse Modeling

Inverse modeling is a widely-used approach in geosciences. In inverse methods, observed measurements are used along with numerical models to infer physical parameters of interest in a system. For instance, measurements of ocean free surface elevation can be used to guide numerical models to deduce bathymetry or sediment properties.

Related publications:

Tahvildari, N., Kaihatu, J. M. (2011) "Optimized determination of viscous mud properties sing a nonlinear wave-mud interaction model", Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 28, 1486-1503. DOI: 10.1175/JTECH-D-11-00025.1 

Tahvildari, N., Kaihatu, J. M. (2009) "Inverse deduction of mud parameters from free  surface wave energy in muddy coasts", Proceedings of the 33rd IAHR Congress, Vancouver, BC, 2870-2877.