Jorat, M.E.; Moon, V.G.; Hepp, D.A.; Kreiter, S.; de Lange, W.P.; Feldmann, S., and Mörz, T., 2017. Subseafloor investigation of sediments at southern Tauranga Harbour, New Zealand, before capital dredging.

The Port of Tauranga plays a key role in New Zealand's export–import industry, and capital dredging commenced in October 2015 to extend the shipping channels to accommodate larger container vessels. This study investigated two-dimensional and three-dimensional subsurface estuarine sediment stratigraphy to predict the sedimentological conditions encountered during dredging operations to ensure that appropriate dredging methodologies were used to minimise the generation of turbidity. Eight cone penetration tests (CPTs), 14 core descriptions, and a high-resolution seismic investigation in Stella Passage (the main shipping channel of Tauranga Harbour) provided the basis for this research. Six major units comprise the stratigraphy; in ascending order they are lower pumiceous sand and silt (UNIT6), quartz-feldspar sand and silt (UNIT5), middle pumiceous sand and silt (UNIT4), silt–sand–clay (UNIT3), upper pumiceous sand and silt (UNIT2), and Holocene marine (UNIT1) sediments forming the modern seafloor. Three paleovalleys filled with sediments from UNIT2 were identified extending west to east across the channel. The CPT profiles were correlated with the seismostratigraphic units and their corresponding soil behaviour type to characterise each unit's sediment stiffness. The UNIT6 is unlikely to be encountered in current and future capital dredging operations because it is the lowest observed unit. A special dredging methodology may be required for UNIT5 and UNIT4 as they have high CPT tip resistance and undrained shear strength. For UNIT3, UNIT2, and UNIT1, which have very low CPT tip resistance and undrained shear strength, trailing suction and cutter suction dredging is appropriate. The potential turbidity of the water column, however, could impose a significant threat to marine biota and has to be taken into account.

Wang, P. and Beck, T.M., 2017. Determining dredge-induced turbidity and sediment plume settling within an intracoastal waterway system.

The intracoastal waterway (IWW) is a continuous navigation channel that often extends across seagrass beds and other sensitive habitats throughout the Gulf and Atlantic Coast estuaries of the United States. Turbidity increase associated with an IWW dredging operation in west-central Florida and subsequent dredge plume subsidence were measured with optical backscatter sensors and acoustic Doppler velocimeters, which also measured in situ wave and current conditions. The field experiments were conducted over a dense seagrass bed. Sediment in the study area is dominantly composed of fine, well-sorted quartz sand, typical of Florida estuaries. The dredge plume temporally increased the turbidity to more than 400 mg/L around a midwater depth. The settling of the dredge plume and sediment resuspension were calculated with commonly used empirical formulas for noncohesive sediments and compared with field observations. The relatively energetic conditions generated by frequent boat wake did not result in significant resuspension and remixing of the suspended sediments and had minor influence on the settling time of the dredge plume. Findings from this study may provide information on understanding potential impacts of dredging on seagrass beds.

Muller, H.; van Rooijen, A.; Idier, D.; Pedreros, R., and Rohmer, J., 2017. Assessing storm impact on a French coastal dune system using morphodynamic modeling.

Natural coastal dune systems provide protection against flooding from the ocean for many coastal communities around the world. An in-depth knowledge of their erosion mechanisms under oceanic stress can help to identify potential weak spots along the coastline and eventually prevent damage to the hinterland. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of hydro-morphodynamic phenomena on the coastal dune morphology during storm events and to evaluate their level of protection. This paper focuses on the physical processes that cause erosion and breaching of sandy dune systems, which are typically a function of the coastal morphology in combination with the hydraulic loading. An XBeach model was set up for the coast of Les Boucholeurs (France), which suffered from severe erosion, dune breaching (at six locations), and inundation of the hinterland during storm Xynthia in February 2010. The model was run for the full storm period, and it accurately reproduced the reported dune breach locations and dimensions with limited calibration. The model results were further utilized to study the temporal and spatial breaching dynamics and to understand the effect of the prestorm morphology on dune breach development. The results show that the dune behavior during the storm was strongly related to the submersion height of the dune crest and anticorrelated with its prestorm geometry (i.e. dune height and width). The governing parameters for the poststorm dune state are, in terms of alongshore-averaged erosion and in order of relative contribution: Submersion height over the dune crest, prestorm dune width, and prestorm dune crest height. Finally, additional simulations showed the limited effects of infragravity waves and the initial bathymetry used in the simulations.

Coch, N.K.; Lenna, M., and Deely, A., 2017. Anthropogenic land changes and sedimentation response in the tidal straits of New York City.

The sand and gravel mixtures found in the northern part of New York Harbor (i.e. Upper Bay) have long been attributed to the transport of coarse-grained sediments into the harbor from the Atlantic. A recent sedimentological study of New York Harbor suggested that the origin of this facies may have been from the East and Harlem rivers. Today, there are no tributaries supplying sediment to the East River–Harlem River system. A review of oceanographic and historical data and a detailed bottom sediment mapping program has established the historical drainage changes in New York City and the effect on sediments supplied to the East River–Harlem River system. Before the 18th Century, the East River and the Harlem River were major suppliers of coarse sediments to New York Harbor. However, development and filling in of almost all of New York's tributaries have cut off this sediment supply. The decrease in surface drainage has increased the danger of New York City flooding from Nor'easters and hurricanes. Finally, this research has shown that there are three, not two, sources of sediment for New York Harbor.

Legare, B. and Mace, C., 2017. Mapping and classifying Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) habitat in Copano Bay, Texas, by coupling acoustic technologies.

The Texas coast is characterized by an extensive array of shallow turbid embayments containing expansive oyster habitats and is home to a large Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) fishery. Mapping habitats in shallow (1–10 m), turbid environments is challenging, since direct visual access to the habitats limited. To quantify the extent of habitats, the integration of remote sensing and GIS technologies is used. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department coupled two acoustic technologies (sidescan sonar and echosounder) to map habitats within Copano Bay, a 181-km² shallow water embayment along the mid-Texas coast. Data were collected during 17 days from September 2013 to February 2014 and resulted in 159 km² of sidescan imagery and 375 km of single beam echosounder data. Individual echosounder transmissions were segmented and processed in ArcGIS 10.1 using the “Unsupervised Classification” tool. Using the classified echosounder data to identify objects located within the sidescan imagery allows for interpolation of habitat using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Habitat Digitizer ArcGIS Extension. A total of 25.9 km² of oyster habitat, 11.6 km² of shell, 26.4 km² of sand, and 95.1 km² of mud were digitized. The resulting habitat map had an overall accuracy of 86% from ground truthing accuracy assessments. This article provides methods for combining sidescan and echosounder acoustic technologies to accurately map habitats in shallow Texas estuaries.

Heinen, J.T.; Roque, A., and Collado-Vides, L., 2017. Managerial implications of perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of residents regarding Puerto Morelos Reef National Park, Mexico.

This study explores the perceptions of local residents of Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico, concerning Puerto Morelos Reef National Park using semistructured and key informant surveys. Collectively, the data provide qualitative and quantitative information regarding attitudes, knowledge, and awareness of park regulations and natural resources, as well as opinions about the formation and management of the protected area. The results show large differences in knowledge and awareness based on location of households within the community. Demographic indicators including education level, nationality, and length of community residence significantly correlate with perceptions about marine protection. There was a significant relationship between awareness of economic growth provided by the protected area and the level of support for protection, but many residents–particularly newer residents, those living farther inland, and those of lower educational levels—were unaware of the park, its resources, or its management. Further understanding of the relationships between social indicators and resource management is needed for conservation of important coastal resources. The results suggest that much more public outreach and education are needed within the region.

Bento, L.; Masuda, L.S.M.; Peixoto, R.B., and Enrich-Prast, A., 2017. Regulation in the metabolism and community structure of a tropical salt flat after rainfall.

Tropical salt flats typically lack a water column for most of the year, which means that rainfall is probably one of the major factors that regulate benthic microalgae and metabolism in areas subjected to periodic drought. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of rainfall on the ecological function and community structure of a tropical mangrove salt flat area. This study showed that the highest primary production and respiration fluxes were recorded on the last day of sampling when it rained (−7.6 and 4.7 mmol C-CO₂ m⁻² h⁻¹, respectively). Net primary production increased significantly compared with the dry period that preceded the rain event. The results also suggested that community structure was regulated by rainfall. After the rain event, abundance increased by one order of magnitude, but the diversity and evenness indices decreased. These results demonstrate that rain does have strong regulatory effects on the ecological function and structure of tropical salt flats.

Tobias, V.D. and Nyman, J.A., 2017. Leaf tissue indicators of flooding stress in the above- and belowground biomass of Spartina patens.

Many factors, such as rising sea levels and human alterations, threaten coastal wetlands in the United States and around the world. To reverse some wetland loss, dredge material, tidal flow, or river flow can be used to create new wetlands, or existing wetlands can be managed to increase plant productivity. Identifying the causes of limited production can improve management plans by suggesting possible remedies. Managing and restoring marshes depends on understanding which stress factors limit growth of key marsh-building plants. Spartina patens is a common marsh-building species of grass in brackish marshes along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts of North America, and it is often the target of management and restoration plans. Spartina patens was grown under six flooding levels in a field experiment. Spartina patens plants grown at lower elevations had consistently lower biomass, in contrast to Spartina alterniflora, which has been shown to exhibit peak biomass at intermediate levels of flooding. Critical values of elemental concentrations in plant tissue are widely used to diagnose mineral deficiencies in agricultural crops and are just beginning to be developed to aid wetland management and restoration. For leaf tissue harvested in summer, [Mn] < 256 ppm and [Ca] < 0.3% indicated that plants grew at lower elevations and had limited biomass. The results suggest that concentrations of Mn and Ca in the leaf tissue of S. patens could form part of an indicator to monitor belowground productivity of marshes. Although low concentrations of these elements were associated with the smaller root and shoot biomass of plants grown at low elevations, variability in the relationship suggests that additional factors may need to be considered. Marsh managers should monitor soil elevation loss carefully if they choose to drain marshes to increase plant production to prevent excessive loss of soil elevation.

Jury, M.R., 2017. Multiple drivers of intense coastal upwelling at Cape Town.

Cape Town, South Africa is well known for its intense coastal upwelling during austral summer. This study provides new insights using daily 4–9 km resolution satellite and ocean reanalysis datasets in the period 2009–2015. A key purpose of this work is to highlight the value of these finely detailed products in coastal research. The most intense case of 23–24 January 2011 revealed a cold plume <10°C extending offshore into a filament. SE winds accelerated cyclonically around Cape Town, and the enhanced wind vorticity lifted <10°C water over the shelf. Yet a statistical analysis found that sea surface temperature and equatorward winds are correlated at <−0.10. A significant outcome could only be achieved in summer (December–February) due to opposing thermal and kinematic influences. The intense upwelling of 23–24 January 2011 was supported by the approach of a midlatitude upper anticyclone and coupled shelf wave. Regression analysis over 2009–2015 showed that a warmer tropical SE Atlantic contributes to a trough over Namibia that spawns coastal lows. They advance southward toward Cape Town at 6–12 day intervals, pulsing the upwelling and turning the equatorward winds offshore and cyclonic. The strong pressure gradient, shallow marine layer, and steep mountains induce a Venturi effect and low level wind jet over the shelf edge. Leeward of Cape Town, a wind shadow and poleward currents contribute to phytoplankton blooms that support a rich ecosystem. In summary, the multiple factors of intense coastal upwelling at Cape Town include: (1) cyclonic wind shear over the shelf due to shallow equatorward flow obstructed by coastal mountains, (2) passing atmospheric coastal low and oceanic shelf wave from the large scale weather, and (3) passing oceanic anticyclonic eddy offshore shed by the Agulhas Current.

Fonseca, R.B.; Gonçalves, M., and Guedes Soares, C., 2017. Comparing the performance of spectral wave model for coastal areas.

In the present study, the third-generation spectral wave models MIKE 21 BW, SWAN, and STWAVE are compared for the simulation of wave characteristics in shallow waters. The SWAN and STWAVE results were obtained from a previous study that compared their performance. The MIKE 21 BW results are now obtained with the purpose of comparing them with the previous two. Several target areas in the Portuguese coast were considered: Obidos Bay and Figueira da Foz, both located in the central part of the continental Portuguese coast; Leixões Harbor, located in the north coast; and Sines Harbor, located in the west coast, south of Lisbon. The input parameters for the models were obtained from offshore buoys. In situ measurements from buoys and acoustic Doppler current profilers were used to validate the model outputs. The models' results are compared through the wave's parameters, namely the significant wave height (Hs), peak period (Tp), and mean wave direction (Dir). The sensitivity of MIKE 21 SW to some input parameters and physical processes such as wind, tide, and nonlinear interactions is also verified. Information about the model performance for different forcing conditions and area types (bay, port, and straight shoreline) is provided. The results show a similar behavior among the models and they are statistically comparable. Both MIKE 21 SW and SWAN are complex models and have a large set of formulations and parameter choices. On the other hand, despite its simplicity, STWAVE produced good results and is considerably faster than the other two.

Zhao, D.; Guo, C.; Su, Y.; Wang, L., and Wang, C., 2017. Numerical study on the unsteady hydrodynamic performance of a four-propeller propulsion system undergoing oscillatory motions.

In this study, the hydrodynamic performance of single- and four-propeller propulsion systems were numerically calculated under open-water and oscillating conditions to elucidate the effect of oscillatory motions on the hydrodynamic performance of propellers of large vessels under wave conditions. The Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes method and self-defined motion equations were adopted to describe the coupled rotation/oscillation of propellers in order to simulate their motion with the ship body under actual sea conditions. A numerical simulation of the unsteady flow fields was performed by using an overset-grid approach. The unsteady thrust coefficient, torque coefficient, propeller wake vortex, and blade pressure distribution during the coupled self-rotation and heaving oscillation of the propellers were analyzed at different speeds of advance. The propulsive efficiency and received power of the propellers were calculated and analyzed for various conditions, with a focus on the effect of different oscillation frequencies on the hydrodynamic performance of multipropeller propulsion systems. The results presented in this paper are theoretically meaningful and may be applicable to optimizing the propeller design or arrangement of multiple propellers, predicting the hydrodynamic performance of multipropeller propulsion systems, and rationally determining the power allocation of main engines. This paper provides theoretical support for resolving practical engineering problems.

Gregory, B.R.B.; Reinhardt, E.G., and Gifford, J.A., 2017. The influence of morphology on sinkhole sedimentation at Little Salt Spring, Florida.

Sedimentary processes are important for understanding sinkhole records of climate and sea-level change. This study examines Little Salt Spring (LSS), an hourglass-shaped sinkhole near the SW coast of Florida, to determine the influence of sinkhole morphology on sedimentation. An 8.27-m core recovered from LSS was subsampled at 2-cm intervals for particle-size, loss-on-ignition, and stable-isotope analyses (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and C:N ratios). Nineteen radiocarbon dates provide chronology and sediment accumulation rates over the past approximately 13,500 cal. YBP. Particle size shows alternating periods of coarse and fine sediment from 6600 to 13,500 cal. YBP and coarser sediment from 0 to 6600 cal. YBP. Organic matter (OM) and carbonate content (CC) are initially low (<5%) but increase after about 10,000 cal. YBP to 60 and 15%, respectively. High C:N ratios (∼35), low δ¹⁵N (7.5‰), and low δ¹³C (−25‰) values were found between approximately 9000 and 13,500 cal. YBP but decreased afterward. Based on these sedimentary characteristics, sedimentation is classified into two phases. In Phase 1 (8000–13,500 cal. YBP), water level is low, with sedimentation dominated by input of allochthonous clastic sediment from surrounding areas. In Phase 2 (present–8000 cal. YBP), a higher water level and an increasingly sunlit open water area encouraged productivity, resulting in deposition of autochthonous, organic-rich sediment. Comparisons between the LSS site and an idealized model of sinkhole sedimentation forced solely by water level shows that both water level and karst basin physiography in LSS have influenced deposition.

Wu, W.; Huang, H.; Biber, P., and Bethel, M., 2017. Litter decomposition of Spartina alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus: Implications of climate change in salt marshes.

Decomposition of plant litter in salt marshes plays an important role in coastal trophodynamics, nutrient cycling, sediment trapping, and short-term carbon storage, all of which are likely to be affected by climate change and accelerated sea-level rise. Warmer temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, longer and more frequent inundation, and saltwater intrusion will all interact to affect decomposition of plant litter in a complex way. A combination of field experiments and model selection techniques was applied to study how these environmental factors affected litter decomposition of two dominant salt marsh species, Spartina alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus, along the northern Gulf of Mexico. The results from summer field experiments conducted between June and August of 2013 showed that S. alterniflora in the low marsh had higher litter losses (0.286 ± 0.0883 g d⁻¹, mean ± standard deviation) and decomposition coefficients (0.0115 ± 0.00416 d⁻¹) than J. roemerianus in the midmarsh locations (0.0963 ± 0.0480 g d⁻¹, 0.00416 ± 0.00223 d⁻¹). Modeling results showed that the interaction between temperature and salinity significantly affected decomposition coefficients of both species positively during this experiment. This study suggests that accelerated leaf litter decomposition due to rising temperature and increased salinity will occur under climate change and sea-level rise, and this will potentially lead to important ecological consequences for salt marshes.

Amos, C.L.; Umgiesser, G.; Ghezzo, M.; Kassem, H., and Ferrarin, C., 2017. Sea surface temperature trends in Venice lagoon and the adjacent waters.

Two coastal lagoons and coastal waters in the northern Adriatic region, Italy, were examined to assess the anthropogenic impact on coastal sea surface temperature (SST). The first lagoon was the highly altered Venice lagoon, and the second was the largely natural Marano-Grado lagoon. There are converging lines of evidence for air warming in the Venice region since 1910 at a long-term rate of 0.095°C/decade. Since 1980, the warming has accelerated to 0.65°C/decade in the centre of Venice. The acceleration in air warming is also evident in the MOHAT4 data set from the northern Adriatic Sea, although the rate of warming is less (0.36°C/decade). This warming trend is mimicked in the HadISST1.1 data set of SST for the northern Adriatic Sea (0.33°C/decade), whereas no trend was detected before 1980. SST and air temperature in both Venice and Marano-Grado lagoons are highly correlated (r² = 0.8): SST is on average 2°C cooler than the northern Adriatic Sea is, although differences appear to be diminishing because of rapid warming in Venice lagoon since 2008 (up to 1.75°C/decade). The warming in the lagoons appears to be greatest during winter months. By contrast, the greatest (post-1980) warming in the northern Adriatic Sea occurs during summer months. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (nighttime; MODIS) SST data shows that, on average, the Venice lagoon is 5% warmer than Marano-Grado lagoon is. This equates to a summertime mean temperature difference of 1.2°C. This difference is within the scatter of the data and suggests that there is no appreciable heat retention in the waters of the Venice lagoon because of local anthropogenic activity.

Mao, X.; Kuang, C.; Gu, J.; Kolditz, O.; Chen, K.; Zhang, J.; Zhang, W., and Zhang, Y., 2017. Analysis of chlorophyll-a correlation to determine nutrient limitations in the coastal waters of the Bohai Sea, China.

The coastal water of Qinhuangdao, a famous resort located in the NW of the Bohai Sea, China, suffered algal bloom for a consecutive 3 years by 2011, causing great economic loss. Based on measurements at 46 sampling points in the study's coastal area in May, August, and October 2011, the seasonal and spatial characteristics of the chemical indicators and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) were analyzed. The chemical indicators for pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and reactive silicate (SiO₃-Si) showed higher concentrations in the summer than in the spring and fall, whereas the nutrients of reactive phosphate (PO₄-P) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) presented complex seasonal characteristics under the combined influence of abundant nutrients from rivers and nutrient consumption by large algal bloom in August. Subsequently, two methods—a fuzzy, integrated assessment and an organic pollution index—were used to characterize the organic pollution. The trophic status of most coastal waters were oligotrophic and mesotrophic, and most coastal waters were clean in spring and summer, except in the vicinity of the harbor and estuaries, where the organic pollution index was generally high. Finally, Pearson correlation coefficients of various variables were analyzed, which demonstrated that, commonly, there was a significant positive correlation between COD and Chl-a. Because algal blooms in August changed the nutrients structure of the coastal waters, Chl-a, in a remarkably high concentration, had significant correlation with NO₂-N, the atomic N/P ratio, and the atomic N/Si ratio. The algal bloom aggravated the current P limitation, and the atomic N/P ratio, the PO₄-P concentration, and the COD can be selected as the three most-sensitive indicators of algal bloom in Qinhuangdao coastal water. These findings have provided scientific supports for local authorities who are taking measures to control pollution emissions and to prevent the recurrence of algal blooms.

Simms, J.R.Z., 2017. “Why would I live anyplace else?”: Resilience, sense of place and possibilities of migration in coastal Louisiana.

Despite living in what was described as a “layer cake made of Jell-O, floating in a swirling Jacuzzi of steadily warming, rising water,” many Louisiana residents of Terrebonne Parish, which is contained entirely within the coastal zone, repeatedly express a strong commitment to remain in place. Combining analyses of primary and secondary materials with crucial informant interviews, conducted in 2012–15, the empirical focus of this research documents how the intersections of resilient practices, sense of place, and social relations play out for those who continue to return, (re)adapt, and rebuild after a hurricane, tropical storm, sharp decline in seafood prices, or other fast- or slow-moving disaster. This research seeks to answer the following two questions: (1) how can residents' sense of place, resilient practices, and social relations affect the processes surrounding possibilities of migration? and (2) what is the relationship between these three factors and the places in which interviewees reside? At present, little is known about how the identities of coastal Louisiana residents, interconnected and contingent on social relations, sense of, and attachment to, place affect the decisions surrounding migration possibilities.

Mörner, N.-A., 2017. Coastal morphology and sea-level changes in Goa, India during the last 500 years.

Coastal morphology, stratigraphy, radiocarbon dating, archaeological remains, historical documentation, and tide gauge records allowed us to establish a very firm and detailed record of the changes in sea level in Goa over the last 500 years. It is an oscillation record: a low level in the early 16th century, a 50-cm high level in the 17th century, a level below present sea level in the 18th century, a 20-cm high level in the 19th and early 20th centuries, a ∼20-cm fall in 1955–1962, and a virtually stable level over the last 50 years. This sea level record is almost identical to those obtained in the Maldives and in Bangladesh. The Indian Ocean seems to lack records of any alarming sea-level rise in recent decades; on the contrary, 10 sites analyzed indicate a sea level remaining at about ±0.0, at least over the last 50 years or so.

O'Donnell, J.E.D., 2017. Living shorelines: A review of literature relevant to New England coasts.

Over the last few decades, increasing awareness of the potential adverse impacts of traditional hardened coastal protection structures on coastal processes and nearshore habitats has prompted interest in the development of shoreline stabilization approaches that preserve intertidal habitats or at least minimize the destructive effects of traditional shoreline protection approaches. Although many terms are used to describe shoreline stabilization approaches that protect or enhance the natural shoreline habitat, these approaches are frequently referred to as living shorelines. A review of the literature on living shorelines is provided to determine which insights from locations where living shorelines have proved successful are applicable to the New England shorelines for mitigating shoreline erosion while maintaining coastal ecosystem services. The benefits of living shorelines in comparison with traditional hardened shoreline protection structures are discussed. Nonstructural and hybrid approaches (that is, approaches that include natural or manmade hard structures) to coastal protection are described, and the effectiveness of these approaches in response to waves, storms, and sea-level rise is evaluated.

Finkl, C.W. and Vollmer, H.M., 2017. Methods for investigating sediment flux under high-energy conditions on the southeast Florida continental shelf using Laser Airborne Depth Sounding (LADS) in a Geographic Information System (GIS) dataframe.

Laser Airborne Depth Sounding (LADS) bathymetric surveys conducted in 2001 and 2008 bracket two hurricane landfalls (Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005) in Broward County, southeast Florida, thus providing an opportunity to investigate changes in bottom topography as a result of wave and current action. The seafloor in this region is characterized by a wide range of sedimentary features that are normally stabilized (held in place) by outcrops of carbonate bedrock and coral reefs. During high-energy events, however, the sedimentary deposits are partially mobilized by waves and currents. This methodological study used the two LADS bathymetric surveys to construct triangulated irregular networks (TINs, which are a digital means of representing surface morphology) surfaces using the ESRI^® ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension. The two bathymetric TIN surfaces were compared to ascertain spatial gains and losses by landform. Comparison of TIN surfaces provides a means to estimate changes in sediment volume and infer variability in cross-shore sediment transport. Application of this methodological procedure is constrained to locations where seafloor features have been interpreted from the LADS bathymetry so that sediment volume changes can be related to specific landform units.

Oakley, B.A.; Manzi, M.A.; Sumeersarnauth, B.J., and Boyle, S., 2017. The Block Island Bluff Image Project: Using Google Earth™, Spreadsheet Mapper, and Google Drive™ to build a database of spatially located field images of coastal bluffs.

Spatially located field photography provides a mechanism to gather and share images for the purposes of creating virtual fieldtrips, examining change, and conducting outreach. Uploading images to Google Earth™ or other commercial sites is a common way of sharing images; however, these images are not accessible in a central, organized location, and the spatial control is limited. This paper presents a method of providing quick access to spatially located images using standard equipment (i.e. camera and GPS) and then linking these images to Google Earth using Spreadsheet Mapper, a free tool developed by Google. This technique allows image locations to be shared via a single small >10 kB file, and individual images can be viewed and downloaded as needed. A systematic approach was developed to photograph and mosaic a large number of locations, but this technique could also be applied to individual images (to examine change at one site over time) or to images collected using unmanned aerial systems.

Kidd, I.M.; Davis, J., and Fischer, A., 2017. A first-order morphological response model (FORM) for predicting hydrologically induced bathymetric change in coastal-plain estuaries.

Estuarine hydrodynamic modeling is complex, and predicting bathymetric outcomes from imposed hydrological changes requires models to encompass time periods spanning years, decades, or longer. Within this work, a first-order response model (FORM) was developed that doesn't require temporal or process components and represents a considerable computational saving compared with two-dimensional/three-dimensional morphodynamic models. FORM enables a final regime to be predicted using knowledge of only the initial regime and the causal change in the tidal prism. It builds on the power width/distance relationship (y = axⁿ) for a simple estuary and allows for the addition of storages or tributaries. FORM was validated using data from 2004 and pre-1968 for the Petitcodiac River, New Brunswick, Canada, where considerable bathymetric change has occurred because of the Moncton Barrage. Linear regression of the modeled upper Tamar River estuary, Tasmania, Australia, revealed a significant and positive relationship between the predicted and actual estuarine widths (R² = 0.89 p < 0.001, slope = 1.0085). Historical channel widths, representing various phases of estuarine geomorphology and development were modeled for 1830 and 1890 and were validated against data from an 1830 navigation chart. As a further validation of the 1806 result, the volume of silt accretion associated with the bathymetric change was calculated. The result (13.4 × 10⁶ m³) was within the range of the observed volume of accretion since 1806 (10.0 × 10⁶–15.0 × 10⁶ m³). The model extends the applicability of existing regime models to similar coastal-plain estuaries composed of multiple tributaries, channels, and storages, regardless of synchronicity.

The external peer reviewers of the Journal of Coastal Research (JCR) have generously donated their time to conduct the review process, which includes the thorough evaluation of manuscripts by providing comments and recommendations to the Editor-in-Chief concerning the ultimate disposition of submitted material. Because we frequently receive reviews from specialists outside of our own Editorial Board, we acknowledge with thanks the following reviewers who have vetted papers submitted to the JCR. Their interest and cooperation are much appreciated.