AGU Chapman Conference on Physics of Wave-Mud Interaction

Amelia Island, Florida, USA 17–20 November 2008

Conveners

Alexandru Sheremet, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
Ashish J. Mehta, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA

Program Committee and Their Areas of Expertise

Alexandru Sheremet, (Nonlinear dissipative wave and wave dissipation mechanisms) Civil and Coastal Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville Florida, USA; Tel: +1-352-392-9537/1429
Ashish J. Mehta, (Fine sediment transport and wave-mud interaction) Civil and Coastal Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA; Tel: +1-352-392-9537/1436
Robert A. Dalrymple, (Water waves, nearshore hydrodynamics, coastal processes) Department of Civil Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Tel: +1-410-516-7923
Johan Winterwerp, (Mud transport mechanics), Delft Hydraulics, Delft, The Netherlands; Tel: +31-15-285-8813
Liviu Giosan, (Evolution of deltaic geology/morphology), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA; Tel: +1-508-289-2257

Introduction

A strong relationship exists in shallow seas between water waves, currents, and bed sediment processes. Although the importance of this connection and its consequences for associated technological development have been recognized for a long time, the development of a systematic approach to wave propagation over shallow muddy seabeds is quite recent. Considerable progress in modeling wave-mud interaction has been achieved since the pioneering quantitative assessment of wave damping due to fluid mud by Gade (1958). However, significant gaps still remain in our understanding of the basic related processes. A scientific compilation and full assessment of these gaps is essential for scoping work required to close these gaps. The purpose of this conference is to review the state-of-the-art in the physics of wave-mud interaction and related fluid mud processes, with a goal to establish a new framework to investigate wave-mud interaction.

Potential Session Topics and Scope

Sediment Characterization: Efforts to Identify Parameters and Their Ranges Relevant to Wave-Mud Interaction
Dissipation Mechanisms: Theoretical Formulations/Studies of Dissipation Mechanisms in Relation to Mud State
Nonlinear Dissipative Waves: Studies of Nonlinear and Dissipative Wave Propagation
Wave-Current-Sediment: Studies of Mud Transport that take into Account Wave Dissipation Effects
Large Scale Processes: Mud Transport, Coastal Morphology, and Morphodynamics
Field/Lab Experiments: Field and Lab Experiments Focused on Weave-current-sediment Interaction at all Scales

Conference Format and Topics

The conference will take place over 4 days with 3 days reserved for presentations, and the last day (morning) for wrap-up discussions. Presentation times will be 20 minutes, with 15 minutes for the oral presentation and 5 minutes for questions. Keynote lectures will be 40 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for questions and discussion. Each session will last 2 hours and 40 minutes. There will be two oral sessions each day. Poster sessions will run continuously throughout the conference.

Potential Cosponsors

The conveners are contacting the following agencies for financial assistance for student travel and other forms of appropriate conference support. Information on financial support for the conference will be updated as it becomes available.

Office of Naval Research
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
National Science Foundation

Abstract Submissions

Abstract deadline has been extended to 31 August 2008
Abstract submission instructions (.doc) are available.

Registration Fee

Registration Deadline: 13 October 2008
The final registration fee will be set in early September 2008.

Travel Support

Application Deadline: 8 August 2008
Travel support for the conference will depend on the fund-raising effort and commitments from the cosponsors. Updated information on financial assistance will be provided once available. Graduate students and young scientists will be given priority for financial assistance.

Accommodations

Housing Deadline: 13 October 2008
The conference takes place at the Amelia Island Plantation in Amelia Island, Florida. The Amelia Island Plantation is a blend of pristine coastal wilderness and manmade luxuries. Nestled between the waves of the Atlantic Ocean and the salt marshes of the Intracoastal Waterway, the resort offers 1,350 acres of natural splendor, award-winning recreation, and attentive service. Resort room rates will be between $139.00 and $159.00 per night. Instructions for reserving housing will be posted on the Web site in mid-August 2008.

Further Information

If you have questions or would like to be placed on a mailing list (be sure to include the name of the meeting you are interested in), e-mail chapman-help@agu.org. For information on the scientific program, contact one of the conference conveners via e-mail: Alexandru Sheremet (alex@coastal.ufl.edu); Ashish J. Mehta (mehta@coastal.ufl.edu)