Origin, evolution, and mobility of large seabed bedforms, offshore East Anglia
Hodgson, D.M.1, Mountney, N.1, Mortimer, E.1, Barlow, N., Cottrell, C., Reynolds, J.3
1School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds
2British Geological Survey, Edinburgh
3John Reynolds International, Mold, Wales
The rate of sea-level rise is accelerating,which will affectmany coastal populations globally. Understanding the causes, rates, and consequences of marine transgression is critical to improve coastal zone mitigation strategies. Furthermore, the offshore is an increasingly important site for generating renewable energy. Comprehensive and integrated offshore datasets, with closely spaced seismic data and core samples, are becoming available from the continental shelf,collected during site investigation work for offshore windfarms. For example, an integrated subsurface dataset available from the East Anglia North Zone permits analysis of the stratigraphic record of multiple glacial-interglacial cycles and the present-day process regime.
One strand of this research studentshipis to investigate the role of inherited stratigraphic patterns and features on the present day bathymetric patterns. The role of sites of preferential erosion and/or deposition on the present-day sediment dispersal patterns will be inferred through mapping key surfaces, and the interpretation of depositional environments. Calibration of palaeoenvironmental changes will be possible through analysis of preserved core samples. The presence of (patchy) peats in the subsurface provide an additional avenue of investigation – age dating and palaeoenvironmental analysis.This research strand will inform understanding on the origin and stability of seabed features, and therefore lead to a more predictive approach to subsurface (foundation) geotechnical conditions – continuity, shear strength.
The other strand of this research studentshipis to investigate the process response to the Holocene transgression beyond ice marginal areas. The seabed offshore East Anglia is characterised by multiple large sub-parallel, evenly spaced, asymmetric to symmetric sand-prone bedforms, and are referred to as sediment waves. Superimposed asymmetric bedforms are present, preferentially on one side of the sediment waves. The origin and evolution of these large sediment waves are poorly constrained, despite being distinctive features on many continental shelves. The sediment waves are an attractive site for locating offshore wide turbines as part of the East Anglia North development. However, the mobility of sediment offshore UK is increasingly important to constrain as installation of seabed infrastructure for the renewable energy industry continues.
The interdisciplinary nature of this studentship means that the student will be trained in process sedimentology and stratigraphy, seismic mapping techniques, GIS, and other techniques to constrain process interactions during periods of environmental change. The student will fully participate in the School and University postgraduate training programme and will be encouraged to attend and present at national and international conferences, and will be strongly encouraged to write their thesis as a collection of manuscripts. There will also be an opportunity to spend time on placement at the project sponsor, Vattenfall, and project partner, John Reynolds International.
Contact Professor David Hodgson () for more details.The deadline is 24th March 2016, the studentships are for UK/EU candidates only.