Zafer Defne, PhD
My research finds its form in providing answers to questions related to coasts and ocean, based on my knowledge of physical oceanography and experience in data sciences.
Dr. Zafer Defne received his PhD in Coastal and Ocean Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, with a minor in Information Technology Applications in Oceanography. His expertise includes computational fluid dynamics and data analysis. His work on numerical modeling of coastal ocean has been used to assess storm surge, residual circulation, sediment transport and water quality, as well as marine renewable energy. His recent research is on assessment of the physical state of coastal wetlands using geospatial data.
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Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 59
Lifespan of marsh units in New York salt marshes (ver. 2.0, June 2026) Lifespan of marsh units in New York salt marshes (ver. 2.0, June 2026)
*This dataset is revised due to a revision of the Eastern Long Island dataset. Please see the process steps below for full details.* Lifespan of salt marshes in New York are calculated using conceptual marsh units defined by Defne and Ganju (2018) and Welk and others (2019, 2020a, 2020b, 2020c). The lifespan calculation is based on estimated sediment supply and sea-level rise (SLR)...
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Maine Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Maine
This data release contains coastal wetland synthesis products for the state of Maine. Metrics for resiliency, including the unvegetated to vegetated ratio (UVVR), marsh elevation, tidal range, and lifespan, are calculated for smaller units delineated from a digital elevation model, providing the spatial variability of physical factors that influence wetland health. The U.S. Geological...
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Connecticut (ver. 2.0, April 2024) Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Connecticut (ver. 2.0, April 2024)
This data release contains coastal wetland synthesis products for the state of Connecticut. Metrics for resiliency, including the unvegetated to vegetated ratio (UVVR), marsh elevation, tidal range, wave power, and exposure potential to environmental health stressors are calculated for smaller units delineated from a digital elevation model, providing the spatial variability of physical...
Inventory of Managed Coastal Wetlands in Delaware Bay and Delaware's Inland Bays Inventory of Managed Coastal Wetlands in Delaware Bay and Delaware's Inland Bays
This data release contains areas within Delaware Bay and Delaware Inland Bays that are within tidal elevations, as determined by the Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT), but that are classified as non-tidal or managed wetlands by the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) or as non-estuarine by the 2016 Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP) land cover dataset. These areas have been assigned the
Lifespan of Massachusetts salt marsh units Lifespan of Massachusetts salt marsh units
Lifespan of salt marshes in Massachusetts (MA) are calculated using conceptual marsh units defined by Ackerman and others (2022). The lifespan calculation is based on estimated sediment supply and sea-level rise (SLR) predictions after Ganju and others (2020). Sea level predictions are local estimates which correspond to the 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0 meter increase in Global Mean Sea Level (GMSL...
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes on the Eastern Shore of Virginia Geospatial characterization of salt marshes on the Eastern Shore of Virginia
This data release contains coastal wetland synthesis products for the Atlantic-facing Eastern Shore of Virginia (the data release for the Chesapeake Bay-facing portion of the Eastern Shore of Virginia is found here: https://doi.org/10.5066/P997EJYB). Metrics for resiliency, including unvegetated to vegetated ratio (UVVR), marsh elevation, and tidal range are calculated for smaller units...
Lifespan of Chesapeake Bay salt marsh units Lifespan of Chesapeake Bay salt marsh units
Lifespan distribution in the Chesapeake Bay (CB) salt marsh complex is presented in terms of lifespan of conceptual marsh units defined by Ackerman and others (2022). The lifespan calculation is based on estimated sediment supply and sea-level rise (SLR) predictions after Ganju and others (2020). Sea level predictions are present day estimates at the prescribed rate of SLR, which...
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Chesapeake Bay Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Chesapeake Bay
This data release contains coastal wetland synthesis products for Chesapeake Bay. Metrics for resiliency, including unvegetated to vegetated ratio (UVVR), marsh elevation, and tidal range are calculated for smaller units delineated from a digital elevation model, providing the spatial variability of physical factors that influence wetland health. The U.S. Geological Survey has been...
Lifespan of marsh units in Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia Lifespan of marsh units in Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia
The sediment-based lifespan of salt marsh units in Assateague Island National Seashore (ASIS) and Chincoteague Bay is shown for conceptual marsh units defined by Defne and Ganju (2018). The lifespan represents the timescale by which the current sediment mass within a marsh parcel can no longer compensate for sediment export and deficits induced by sea-level rise. The lifespan calculation...
An Unvegetated to Vegetated Ratio (UVVR) for coastal wetlands of the Conterminous United States (2014-2018) An Unvegetated to Vegetated Ratio (UVVR) for coastal wetlands of the Conterminous United States (2014-2018)
This USGS Data Release represents geospatial data sets which were created to produce an Unvegetated to Vegetated Ratio (UVVR) for coastal wetlands of the conterminous United States (2014-2018). The following listed image products were generated 1) Annual spatial datasets (rasters) from 2014 to 2018 each containing 4 bands (Band 1: Unvegetated land fraction; Band 2: Vegetated land...
Climatological Wave Height, Wave Period and Wave Power along Coastal Areas of the East Coast of the United States and Gulf of Mexico Climatological Wave Height, Wave Period and Wave Power along Coastal Areas of the East Coast of the United States and Gulf of Mexico
This U.S. Geological Survey data release provides data on spatial variations in climatological wave parameters (significant wave height, peak wave period, and wave power) for coastal areas along the United States East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. Significant wave height is the average wave height, from crest to trough, of the highest one-third of the waves in a specific time period. Peak...
Tidal Datums, Tidal Range, and Nuisance Flooding Levels for Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay Tidal Datums, Tidal Range, and Nuisance Flooding Levels for Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay
This U.S. Geological Survey data release provides data on spatial variations in tidal datums, tidal range, and nuisance flooding in Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay. Tidal datums are standard elevations that are defined based on average tidal water levels. Datums are used as references to measure local water levels and to delineate regions in coastal environments. Nuisance flooding refers...
Filter Total Items: 29
Quantifying slopes as a driver of forest to marsh conversion using geospatial techniques: Application to Chesapeake Bay coastal-plain, USA Quantifying slopes as a driver of forest to marsh conversion using geospatial techniques: Application to Chesapeake Bay coastal-plain, USA
Coastal salt marshes, which provide valuable ecosystem services such as flood mitigation and carbon sequestration, are threatened by rising sea level. In response, these ecosystems migrate landward, converting available upland into salt marsh. In the coastal-plain surrounding Chesapeake Bay, United States, conversion of coastal forest to salt marsh is well-documented and may offset salt...
Authors
Grace Damore Molino, Zafer Defne, Alfredo Aretxabaleta, Neil K. Ganju, Joel A. Carr
A geospatially resolved wetland vulnerability index: Synthesis of physical drivers A geospatially resolved wetland vulnerability index: Synthesis of physical drivers
Assessing wetland vulnerability to chronic and episodic physical drivers is fundamental for establishing restoration priorities. We synthesized multiple data sets from E.B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey, to establish a wetland vulnerability metric that integrates a range of physical processes, regulatory information and physical/biophysical features. The geospatial data...
Authors
Zafer Defne, Alfredo Aretxabaleta, Neil K. Ganju, Tarandeep S. Kalra, Daniel K. Jones, Kathryn E.L. Smith
Are elevation and open-water conversion of salt marshes connected? Are elevation and open-water conversion of salt marshes connected?
Salt marsh assessments focus on vertical metrics such as accretion or lateral metrics such as open-water conversion, without exploration of how the dimensions are related. We exploited a novel geospatial dataset to explore how elevation is related to the unvegetated-vegetated marsh ratio (UVVR), a lateral metric, across individual marsh “units” within four estuarine-marsh systems. We...
Authors
Neil K. Ganju, Zafer Defne, Sergio Fagherazzi
Understanding tidal marsh trajectories: Evaluation of multiple indicators of marsh persistence Understanding tidal marsh trajectories: Evaluation of multiple indicators of marsh persistence
Robust assessments of ecosystem stability are critical for informing conservation and management decisions. Tidal marsh ecosystems provide vital services, yet are globally threatened by anthropogenic alterations to physical and biological processes. A variety of monitoring and modeling approaches have been undertaken to determine which tidal marshes are likely to persist into the future...
Authors
Kerstin Wasson, Neil K. Ganju, Zafer Defne, Charlie Endris, Tracy Elsey-Quirk, Karen M. Thorne, Chase M. Freeman, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Daniel J. Nowacki, Kenneth B. Raposa
Hydrodynamic and morphologic response of a back-barrier estuary to an extratropical storm Hydrodynamic and morphologic response of a back-barrier estuary to an extratropical storm
We investigated the hydrodynamic and morphologic response of Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, USA to Hurricane Sandy. We implemented a three-dimensional, coupled ocean-wave-sediment transport model of the estuary and explored the role of offshore water levels, offshore waves, local winds and waves by systematically removing forcings from a series of simulations. Offshore water...
Authors
Zafer Defne, Neil K. Ganju, Julia M. Moriarty
Identifying salt marsh shorelines from remotely sensed elevation data and imagery Identifying salt marsh shorelines from remotely sensed elevation data and imagery
Salt marshes are valuable ecosystems that are vulnerable to lateral erosion, submergence, and internal disintegration due to sea-level rise, storms, and sediment deficits. Because many salt marshes are losing area in response to these factors, it is important to monitor their lateral extent at high resolution over multiple timescales. In this study we describe two methods to calculate...
Authors
Amy S. Farris, Zafer Defne, Neil K. Ganju
Spatial distribution of water level impact to back-barrier bays Spatial distribution of water level impact to back-barrier bays
Water level in semi-enclosed bays, landward of barrier islands, is mainly driven by offshore sea level fluctuations that are modulated by bay geometry and bathymetry, causing spatial variability in the ensuing response (transfer). Local wind setup can have a secondary role that depends on wind speed, fetch, and relative orientation of the wind direction and the bay. Inlet geometry and...
Authors
Alfredo Aretxabaleta, Neil K. Ganju, Zafer Defne, Richard P. Signell
Estimating connectivity of hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) and eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) larvae in Barnegat Bay Estimating connectivity of hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) and eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) larvae in Barnegat Bay
Many marine organisms have a well-known adult sessile stage. Unfortunately, our lack of knowledge regarding their larval transient stage hinders our understanding of their basic ecology and connectivity. Larvae can have swimming behavior that influences their transport within the marine environment. Understanding the larval stage provides insight into population connectivity that can...
Authors
J.D. Goodwin, D.M. Munroe, Zafer Defne, Neil K. Ganju, James Vasslides
Role of tidal wetland stability in lateral fluxes of particulate organic matter and carbon Role of tidal wetland stability in lateral fluxes of particulate organic matter and carbon
Tidal wetland fluxes of particulate organic matter and carbon (POM, POC) are important terms in global budgets but remain poorly constrained. Given the link between sediment fluxes and wetland stability, POM and POC fluxes should also be related to stability. We measured POM and POC fluxes in eight microtidal salt marsh channels, with net POM fluxes ranging between −121 ± 33 (export) and...
Authors
Neil Kamal Ganju, Zafer Defne, Tracy Elsey Quirk, Julia M. Moriarty
Physical response of a back-barrier estuary to a post-tropical cyclone Physical response of a back-barrier estuary to a post-tropical cyclone
This paper presents a modeling investigation of the hydrodynamic and sediment transport response of Chincoteague Bay (VA/MD, USA) to Hurricane Sandy using the Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment-Transport (COAWST) modeling system. Several simulation scenarios with different combinations of remote and local forces were conducted to identify the dominant physical processes. While 80% of...
Authors
Alexis Beudin, Neil Kamal Ganju, Zafer Defne, Alfredo Aretxabaleta
Hydrokinetic tidal energy resource assessments using numerical models Hydrokinetic tidal energy resource assessments using numerical models
Hyrdokinetic tidal energy is the conversion of tidal current kinetic energy to another more useful form, frequently electricity. As with any other form of renewable energy, resource assessments are essential for the tidal energy project planning and design process. While tidal currents have significant spatial and temporal variability, the predictability of tidal flows makes...
Authors
Kevin Haas, Zafer Defne, Xiufeng Yang, Brittany Bruder
Spatially integrative metrics reveal hidden vulnerability of microtidal salt marshes Spatially integrative metrics reveal hidden vulnerability of microtidal salt marshes
Salt marshes are valued for their ecosystem services, and their vulnerability is typically assessed through biotic and abiotic measurements at individual points on the landscape. However, lateral erosion can lead to rapid marsh loss as marshes build vertically. Marsh sediment budgets represent a spatially integrated measure of competing constructive and destructive forces: a sediment...
Authors
Neil K. Ganju, Zafer Defne, Matthew L. Kirwan, Sergio Fagherazzi, Andrea D’Alpaos, Luca Carniello
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 59
Lifespan of marsh units in New York salt marshes (ver. 2.0, June 2026) Lifespan of marsh units in New York salt marshes (ver. 2.0, June 2026)
*This dataset is revised due to a revision of the Eastern Long Island dataset. Please see the process steps below for full details.* Lifespan of salt marshes in New York are calculated using conceptual marsh units defined by Defne and Ganju (2018) and Welk and others (2019, 2020a, 2020b, 2020c). The lifespan calculation is based on estimated sediment supply and sea-level rise (SLR)...
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Maine Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Maine
This data release contains coastal wetland synthesis products for the state of Maine. Metrics for resiliency, including the unvegetated to vegetated ratio (UVVR), marsh elevation, tidal range, and lifespan, are calculated for smaller units delineated from a digital elevation model, providing the spatial variability of physical factors that influence wetland health. The U.S. Geological...
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Connecticut (ver. 2.0, April 2024) Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Connecticut (ver. 2.0, April 2024)
This data release contains coastal wetland synthesis products for the state of Connecticut. Metrics for resiliency, including the unvegetated to vegetated ratio (UVVR), marsh elevation, tidal range, wave power, and exposure potential to environmental health stressors are calculated for smaller units delineated from a digital elevation model, providing the spatial variability of physical...
Inventory of Managed Coastal Wetlands in Delaware Bay and Delaware's Inland Bays Inventory of Managed Coastal Wetlands in Delaware Bay and Delaware's Inland Bays
This data release contains areas within Delaware Bay and Delaware Inland Bays that are within tidal elevations, as determined by the Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT), but that are classified as non-tidal or managed wetlands by the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) or as non-estuarine by the 2016 Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP) land cover dataset. These areas have been assigned the
Lifespan of Massachusetts salt marsh units Lifespan of Massachusetts salt marsh units
Lifespan of salt marshes in Massachusetts (MA) are calculated using conceptual marsh units defined by Ackerman and others (2022). The lifespan calculation is based on estimated sediment supply and sea-level rise (SLR) predictions after Ganju and others (2020). Sea level predictions are local estimates which correspond to the 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0 meter increase in Global Mean Sea Level (GMSL...
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes on the Eastern Shore of Virginia Geospatial characterization of salt marshes on the Eastern Shore of Virginia
This data release contains coastal wetland synthesis products for the Atlantic-facing Eastern Shore of Virginia (the data release for the Chesapeake Bay-facing portion of the Eastern Shore of Virginia is found here: https://doi.org/10.5066/P997EJYB). Metrics for resiliency, including unvegetated to vegetated ratio (UVVR), marsh elevation, and tidal range are calculated for smaller units...
Lifespan of Chesapeake Bay salt marsh units Lifespan of Chesapeake Bay salt marsh units
Lifespan distribution in the Chesapeake Bay (CB) salt marsh complex is presented in terms of lifespan of conceptual marsh units defined by Ackerman and others (2022). The lifespan calculation is based on estimated sediment supply and sea-level rise (SLR) predictions after Ganju and others (2020). Sea level predictions are present day estimates at the prescribed rate of SLR, which...
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Chesapeake Bay Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Chesapeake Bay
This data release contains coastal wetland synthesis products for Chesapeake Bay. Metrics for resiliency, including unvegetated to vegetated ratio (UVVR), marsh elevation, and tidal range are calculated for smaller units delineated from a digital elevation model, providing the spatial variability of physical factors that influence wetland health. The U.S. Geological Survey has been...
Lifespan of marsh units in Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia Lifespan of marsh units in Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia
The sediment-based lifespan of salt marsh units in Assateague Island National Seashore (ASIS) and Chincoteague Bay is shown for conceptual marsh units defined by Defne and Ganju (2018). The lifespan represents the timescale by which the current sediment mass within a marsh parcel can no longer compensate for sediment export and deficits induced by sea-level rise. The lifespan calculation...
An Unvegetated to Vegetated Ratio (UVVR) for coastal wetlands of the Conterminous United States (2014-2018) An Unvegetated to Vegetated Ratio (UVVR) for coastal wetlands of the Conterminous United States (2014-2018)
This USGS Data Release represents geospatial data sets which were created to produce an Unvegetated to Vegetated Ratio (UVVR) for coastal wetlands of the conterminous United States (2014-2018). The following listed image products were generated 1) Annual spatial datasets (rasters) from 2014 to 2018 each containing 4 bands (Band 1: Unvegetated land fraction; Band 2: Vegetated land...
Climatological Wave Height, Wave Period and Wave Power along Coastal Areas of the East Coast of the United States and Gulf of Mexico Climatological Wave Height, Wave Period and Wave Power along Coastal Areas of the East Coast of the United States and Gulf of Mexico
This U.S. Geological Survey data release provides data on spatial variations in climatological wave parameters (significant wave height, peak wave period, and wave power) for coastal areas along the United States East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. Significant wave height is the average wave height, from crest to trough, of the highest one-third of the waves in a specific time period. Peak...
Tidal Datums, Tidal Range, and Nuisance Flooding Levels for Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay Tidal Datums, Tidal Range, and Nuisance Flooding Levels for Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay
This U.S. Geological Survey data release provides data on spatial variations in tidal datums, tidal range, and nuisance flooding in Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay. Tidal datums are standard elevations that are defined based on average tidal water levels. Datums are used as references to measure local water levels and to delineate regions in coastal environments. Nuisance flooding refers...
Filter Total Items: 29
Quantifying slopes as a driver of forest to marsh conversion using geospatial techniques: Application to Chesapeake Bay coastal-plain, USA Quantifying slopes as a driver of forest to marsh conversion using geospatial techniques: Application to Chesapeake Bay coastal-plain, USA
Coastal salt marshes, which provide valuable ecosystem services such as flood mitigation and carbon sequestration, are threatened by rising sea level. In response, these ecosystems migrate landward, converting available upland into salt marsh. In the coastal-plain surrounding Chesapeake Bay, United States, conversion of coastal forest to salt marsh is well-documented and may offset salt...
Authors
Grace Damore Molino, Zafer Defne, Alfredo Aretxabaleta, Neil K. Ganju, Joel A. Carr
A geospatially resolved wetland vulnerability index: Synthesis of physical drivers A geospatially resolved wetland vulnerability index: Synthesis of physical drivers
Assessing wetland vulnerability to chronic and episodic physical drivers is fundamental for establishing restoration priorities. We synthesized multiple data sets from E.B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey, to establish a wetland vulnerability metric that integrates a range of physical processes, regulatory information and physical/biophysical features. The geospatial data...
Authors
Zafer Defne, Alfredo Aretxabaleta, Neil K. Ganju, Tarandeep S. Kalra, Daniel K. Jones, Kathryn E.L. Smith
Are elevation and open-water conversion of salt marshes connected? Are elevation and open-water conversion of salt marshes connected?
Salt marsh assessments focus on vertical metrics such as accretion or lateral metrics such as open-water conversion, without exploration of how the dimensions are related. We exploited a novel geospatial dataset to explore how elevation is related to the unvegetated-vegetated marsh ratio (UVVR), a lateral metric, across individual marsh “units” within four estuarine-marsh systems. We...
Authors
Neil K. Ganju, Zafer Defne, Sergio Fagherazzi
Understanding tidal marsh trajectories: Evaluation of multiple indicators of marsh persistence Understanding tidal marsh trajectories: Evaluation of multiple indicators of marsh persistence
Robust assessments of ecosystem stability are critical for informing conservation and management decisions. Tidal marsh ecosystems provide vital services, yet are globally threatened by anthropogenic alterations to physical and biological processes. A variety of monitoring and modeling approaches have been undertaken to determine which tidal marshes are likely to persist into the future...
Authors
Kerstin Wasson, Neil K. Ganju, Zafer Defne, Charlie Endris, Tracy Elsey-Quirk, Karen M. Thorne, Chase M. Freeman, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Daniel J. Nowacki, Kenneth B. Raposa
Hydrodynamic and morphologic response of a back-barrier estuary to an extratropical storm Hydrodynamic and morphologic response of a back-barrier estuary to an extratropical storm
We investigated the hydrodynamic and morphologic response of Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, USA to Hurricane Sandy. We implemented a three-dimensional, coupled ocean-wave-sediment transport model of the estuary and explored the role of offshore water levels, offshore waves, local winds and waves by systematically removing forcings from a series of simulations. Offshore water...
Authors
Zafer Defne, Neil K. Ganju, Julia M. Moriarty
Identifying salt marsh shorelines from remotely sensed elevation data and imagery Identifying salt marsh shorelines from remotely sensed elevation data and imagery
Salt marshes are valuable ecosystems that are vulnerable to lateral erosion, submergence, and internal disintegration due to sea-level rise, storms, and sediment deficits. Because many salt marshes are losing area in response to these factors, it is important to monitor their lateral extent at high resolution over multiple timescales. In this study we describe two methods to calculate...
Authors
Amy S. Farris, Zafer Defne, Neil K. Ganju
Spatial distribution of water level impact to back-barrier bays Spatial distribution of water level impact to back-barrier bays
Water level in semi-enclosed bays, landward of barrier islands, is mainly driven by offshore sea level fluctuations that are modulated by bay geometry and bathymetry, causing spatial variability in the ensuing response (transfer). Local wind setup can have a secondary role that depends on wind speed, fetch, and relative orientation of the wind direction and the bay. Inlet geometry and...
Authors
Alfredo Aretxabaleta, Neil K. Ganju, Zafer Defne, Richard P. Signell
Estimating connectivity of hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) and eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) larvae in Barnegat Bay Estimating connectivity of hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) and eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) larvae in Barnegat Bay
Many marine organisms have a well-known adult sessile stage. Unfortunately, our lack of knowledge regarding their larval transient stage hinders our understanding of their basic ecology and connectivity. Larvae can have swimming behavior that influences their transport within the marine environment. Understanding the larval stage provides insight into population connectivity that can...
Authors
J.D. Goodwin, D.M. Munroe, Zafer Defne, Neil K. Ganju, James Vasslides
Role of tidal wetland stability in lateral fluxes of particulate organic matter and carbon Role of tidal wetland stability in lateral fluxes of particulate organic matter and carbon
Tidal wetland fluxes of particulate organic matter and carbon (POM, POC) are important terms in global budgets but remain poorly constrained. Given the link between sediment fluxes and wetland stability, POM and POC fluxes should also be related to stability. We measured POM and POC fluxes in eight microtidal salt marsh channels, with net POM fluxes ranging between −121 ± 33 (export) and...
Authors
Neil Kamal Ganju, Zafer Defne, Tracy Elsey Quirk, Julia M. Moriarty
Physical response of a back-barrier estuary to a post-tropical cyclone Physical response of a back-barrier estuary to a post-tropical cyclone
This paper presents a modeling investigation of the hydrodynamic and sediment transport response of Chincoteague Bay (VA/MD, USA) to Hurricane Sandy using the Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment-Transport (COAWST) modeling system. Several simulation scenarios with different combinations of remote and local forces were conducted to identify the dominant physical processes. While 80% of...
Authors
Alexis Beudin, Neil Kamal Ganju, Zafer Defne, Alfredo Aretxabaleta
Hydrokinetic tidal energy resource assessments using numerical models Hydrokinetic tidal energy resource assessments using numerical models
Hyrdokinetic tidal energy is the conversion of tidal current kinetic energy to another more useful form, frequently electricity. As with any other form of renewable energy, resource assessments are essential for the tidal energy project planning and design process. While tidal currents have significant spatial and temporal variability, the predictability of tidal flows makes...
Authors
Kevin Haas, Zafer Defne, Xiufeng Yang, Brittany Bruder
Spatially integrative metrics reveal hidden vulnerability of microtidal salt marshes Spatially integrative metrics reveal hidden vulnerability of microtidal salt marshes
Salt marshes are valued for their ecosystem services, and their vulnerability is typically assessed through biotic and abiotic measurements at individual points on the landscape. However, lateral erosion can lead to rapid marsh loss as marshes build vertically. Marsh sediment budgets represent a spatially integrated measure of competing constructive and destructive forces: a sediment...
Authors
Neil K. Ganju, Zafer Defne, Matthew L. Kirwan, Sergio Fagherazzi, Andrea D’Alpaos, Luca Carniello