Articles | Volume 9, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-1335-2021
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-1335-2021
Research article
 | 
07 Oct 2021
Research article |  | 07 Oct 2021

Sediment shell-content diminishes current-driven sand ripple development and migration

Chiu H. Cheng, Jaco C. de Smit, Greg S. Fivash, Suzanne J. M. H. Hulscher, Bas W. Borsje, and Karline Soetaert

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Cited articles

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Short summary
Shells are biogenic particles that are widespread throughout natural sandy environments and can affect the bed roughness and seabed erodibility. As studies are presently lacking, we experimentally measured ripple formation and migration using natural sand with increasing volumes of shell material under unidirectional flow in a racetrack flume. We show that shells expedite the onset of sediment transport, reduce ripple dimensions and slow their migration rate.
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