Tag Archives: sediment transport

Numerical modeling of suspended sediment due to deep-sea mining

J.A. Jankowski, A. Malcherek and W. Zielke

Abstract. A numerical model was developed in order to estimate the residence time of a sediment plume generated by potential deep-sea mining activities with special attention to discharges in the bottom boundary layer. The site of the Disturbance and Recolonization Experiment (DISCOL) in the Peru Basin in the southeast Pacific Ocean was chosen as a case study. Continue reading

Data support for the deep-sea mining impact modelling

J.A. Jankowski and W. Zielke

Abstract. In the case of deep sea mining discharges the overall aim of numerical modelling is to provide tools which allow extrapolation and evaluation of the experimental results in order to formulate an environmental impact statement. The report critically reviews the presently available experimental data resulting from various tests and experiments connected with the ocean mining research from the point of view of their feasibility in verification and supporting of the hydrodynamical models developed and applied to assess some of the deep sea mining impacts. Continue reading

Numerical modelling of sediment transport caused by deep sea mining

W.Zielke and J.A. Jankowski, J. Sündermann and J. Segschneider

Abstract. The paper describes the application of mesoscale and large scale models in order to simulate the impact of deep-sea mining sediment discharges on the marine environment. The modelling efforts are cross-linked with the experiments of the TUSCH research group which provide supporting data. The results yield time-dependent, three-dimensional concentration fields, the amount of redeposition and the plume residence time. The near bed emissions impact mainly at a local scale, whereas more widespread contamination due to discharges at the free surface or in some intermediate depth cannot be excluded. Continue reading

Numerical modeling of sediment transport processes caused by deep sea mining discharges.

J.A. Jankowski, A. Malcherek and W. Zielke

Abstract. A numerical model was developed in order to estimate the residence time of a sediment plume generated by deep-sea mining activities. The model is capable of simulating density currents in a sediment-laden ocean bottom boundary layer. The numerical model was verified using an analytical solution, which does not take into account the above mentioned effects. The results show that due to density differences the residence time of a plume is reduced substantially. Continue reading