New wave-driven Vortex Dynamics and Longshore Currents on Barred Beaches

New York University, New York NY

Investigators

Abstract

Longshore currents in the nearshore are primarily driven by the breaking of incoming ocean waves. These currents play an important role in beach erosion through sediment transport and in larval transport and wastewarder dispersal. Current numerical models of these currents are commonplace but rely on approximations that may not capture all of the small-scale processes responsible for these flows. In particular, current models often fail when applied to barred beaches. This project will use a vorticity model and a statistical mechanical model to explore the effects of wave-driven vortex dynamics on the flow.