Collaboration
Warwick Water has been pleased to collaborate with other researchers based in the UK or overseas. Here is an example of a recent collaborative research programme.
Warwick Water study Pollutant Dispersion by Longshore Currents
During the summer of 2009, members of the Warwick team undertook experimental investigations in DHI’s wave-current facility in Denmark, to investigate the pollutant dispersion generated by longshore currents.
The joint study between The University of Warwick and The University of the Aegean, Greece was principally aimed at understanding the fates of pollutants in nearshore coastal regions. Project leader Dr Jonathan Pearson commented "This work is essential to improve fundamental understanding of nearshore hydrodynamic processes contributing to pollutant mixing. The resulting predictive techniques will be beneficial to consultant engineers, coastal managers, local authorities and government agencies responsible for water quality. Data on the nearshore hydrodynamics and dispersion will improve the verification of numerical models, which will allow a better understanding of how wave activity transports pollutants and nutrients".
The research focused on waves which approach the shore at an oblique angle, resulting in a wave driven longshore current. Regular and random waves were studied and direct solute tracer measurements allowed the on-offshore pollutant transport to be quantified. Laser Doppler Anemometry measurements were also undertaken, which provided unique turbulence measurements in and around the surf-zone. The data together with the direct tracer measurements will allow validated algorithms to be developed that describe the contributions to pollutant dispersion in the nearshore zone produced by combined wave-current processes.
The project was principally funded by the EU’s Hydralab III project, with additional funding via Warwick’s URSS. Further information can be obtained by contacting Dr Jonathan Pearson (j dot m dot pearson at warwick dot ac dot uk)
Former members
Warwick Water keeps the links and continues collaboration with former members. More information about their activities is available on these pages.
Warwick Water team in Denmark.
Solute tracer release in surf-zone and subsequent spatial collection.
Laser Doppler Anemometry measurements under waves.