Effects of freshwater inflow on sediment transport

This study investigates the effect that freshwater inflow has on the transport of dredged material in Liverpool Bay. The sediment dispersal is first simulated using constant density throughout the domain, and then density gradients and stratification will be allowed to develop from riverine inputs. The first case shows the sediments slowly being transported east-westwards away from the estuary; while the simulation with freshwater shows the sediment being rapidly transported south-eastward towards the estuary. Model simulations such as these may inform decisions of where to put the dredging spoil to minimise the likelihood of it returning directly to the estuary.