Prediction of Texas Wetland Erosion Through Remote Sensing, Field Surveys, and Numerical Modeling
(Sponsor: Texas General Land Office)
The purpose of this project is to establish a long-term, comprehensive wetland erosion time-series and to develop a predictive numerical model using this time-series to evaluate short- and long-term wetland erosion for key estuaries in Texas. Read more …
PIRE: Coastal Flood Risk Reduction Program: Integrated, Multi-Scale Approaches for Understanding How to Reduce Vulnerability to Damaging Events
(Sponsor: National Science Foundation)
Coastal floods are the most costly, disruptive, and life-threatening hazard worldwide. The negative impacts from flood events are increasing in the United States (U.S.) and abroad. In response to this growing problem, this project combines research and education on coastal flood risk reduction between the U.S. and the Netherlands. Each year, 15 U.S. students from Texas A&M University and partner institutions work on case studies in both countries as part of a place-based immersive research and education experience.
Guaranteeing Coastal Wetland Survival under Sea Level Rise through Nature-Based Beneficial-Use Dredged Sediment Placement: A Galveston Bay Living Laboratory
(Sponsor: Texas Sea Grant)
This project is conducted in collaboration with researchers from East Carolina University (ECU) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District. The goal is to quantify the benefits to nearby marsh systems and adjacent coastal communities obtained from strategic unconfined subaqueous placement of beneficial-use dredged material (BUDM). Read more …
Sediment Dynamics in Shallow-Bay Ship Channels
(Sponsor: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
For this project CEL researchers are helping conduct “detective work” to better understand the causes of heightened sedimentation at the confluence of two ship channels in Galveston Bay, Texas. Detailed field campaigns to collect sediment and hydrodynamic data have been carried out and are providing clues as to why the observed dramatic increases in sedimentation occur. Read more …
Microbially-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) Supporting Nearshore Dellanera Reef Design for Galveston Island
(Sponsor: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
Coastal protection schemes call for innovative solutions that should work with nature to achieve optimal outputs and multi-functionality. One solution to wave attack and erosion problems is the design and monitoring of submerged wave and sediment-guidance structures, such as submerged nearshore artificial reefs or sandbars. The use of microbially-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) to create environmental-friendly durable submerged reefs is a promising approach for this purpose and is investigated further through field and laboratory testing in this project. Read more …
Process-Based Modeling of Hybrid Coastal Structures
(Sponsor: Center for Texas Beaches and Shores & Wortham Foundation)
Other Completed Projects:
- Collaborative Research: Ridge-Runnel Post-Storm Beach Recovery – Hydrodynamics, Sediment Transport, and Morphodynamics (PI: Jens Figlus) Find out more …
- Implementing NTHMP-MMS Strategic Plan in Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Products for the Gulf of Mexico (PI: Juan Horrillo, Co-PI: Jens Figlus)
- Development of Two Additional Tsunami Inundation Maps and Updating Existing Ones with Maritime Hazard Mitigation Products (PI: Juan Horrillo, Co-PI: Jens Figlus)
- If We Lose Follet’s Island, We Lose Coastal Communities and Christmas Bay: A Geological Framework and Numerical Model Study of the Sustainability of Follet’s Island (PI: Jens Figlus) Find out more …
- CEPRA: Innovative Technology Seaweed Prototype Dunes (PI: Jens Figlus)
- CEPRA: Innovative Technology Sustaining Dune Growth With Seabales (PI: Jens Figlus)
- CMP: Geological Framework Study of Follet’s Island (PI: Tim Dellapenna, Co-PI: Jens Figlus)
- Barrier Design and Landscape Integration for Galveston’s West End (PI: William Merrell, Co-PI: Jens Figlus)