Modiwl DXX-3018:
Rivers, Coasts and Oceans

Ffeithiau’r Modiwl

Rhedir gan School of Natural Sciences

20.000 Credyd neu 10.000 Credyd ECTS

Semester 2

Trefnydd: Dr Lynda Yorke

Amcanion cyffredinol

  1. To provide a foundation and conceptual framework in which to understand fluvial, coastal and deep marine environments, including intrinsic and extrinsic processes operating within such systems.
  2. To understand the main hydrodynamic and sedimentary processes operating within and characterising the channel, floodplain, coastal and marine environments.
  3. To provide an overview of the external (climate change, human activity, tectonics and base-level change) and internal controls on river systems and examine the associated river responses at a range of spatial and temporal scales.
  4. To present the climatic and oceanographic controls on open coast and deep sea sediments and sedimentary environments.
  5. To introduce students to the current debates and literature in this field and discuss the relevant application to present-day management of fluvial and marine environments.

Cynnwys cwrs

This module deals with the cascade from source to sink, divided up in to three segments: catchment-fluvial, coastal (continental shelf), and deep marine (Sømme et al., 2009). Each segment is a morphodynamic zone, but these zones are also genetically related and dynamically connected (Allen, 2017). Geomorphology, sedimentology, and stratigraphy are core to understanding the flow of sediments within and through these segments. Sediments from single or multiple sources are routed through the source to sink cascade, with each morphodynamical zone connecting regions of erosion, sediment transfer, temporary storage, and long-term deposition.

The module will explore the key foundational and conceptual frameworks (thresholds, sensitivity, drivers) in these geomorphological zones. The module will explore the mechanisms and responses to external factors, such as environmental change, tectonics, base-level change, and anthropogenic activity, alongside developing an understanding of intrinsic and extrinsic processes in these key zones. The module will examine sediments within these zones, which are important components of biogeochemical and ecological systems, and have major socio-economic significance. This module will examine the sediment routing system (origin, controls, and processes that determine the properties, transport, and deposition) in the catchment-fluvial, coastal (e.g., beaches, barriers, deltas, tidal flats) and continental shelf, the deep ocean basins segments. Students will be encouraged to critically engage with the literature and key debates, and to develop a scholarly and applied approach to the subject.

Major themes covered

Foundation and Framework: Equilibrium, thresholds, transition, complexity, and response. External/Intrinsic Drivers (Base level change, Climate, Tectonics, Humans).

Catchment-Fluvial Environments: Geomorphology Single (meandering) and multi-thread (braided, wandering) channels Alluvial channels, bars and floodplains Facies, sedimentary sequences, and subenvironments Importance of river to marine cascade Cable Bay as natural laboratory Pilcomayo case study & Ebro/Rhone/Var case study Alluvial Histories River response to environmental change Quaternary fluvial history

Coastal-Beach Environments: The coastal morphodynamic system Coastal classification: transgressive/progressive; wave/tide dominated Coastal barrier systems and the shoreface Beaches: classification, wave-driven currents, morphology, engineering applications Tidal flats

Deltaic Environments: Classification: wave/fluvial dominance Stratigraphy Continental shelf : Classification: tide/wave/storm dominated Morphological features Sediment budgets

Shelf edge and Deep Marine Environments: Processes, facies, sedimentary sequences, and subenvironments Density cascading Sediment gravity flows Submarine fans and channels and hydrocarbons Contourite drifts Pelagic and hemipelagic sedimentation

Meini Prawf

trothwy

Grade D- to C+:

Adequate knowledge of the key concepts. Presentation of appropriate examples to illustrate elements of the directly taught programme. Basic ability to describe and explain the core subject matter. Little evidence of reading beyond the taught material. Some understanding of the multidisciplinary subject matter, with a basic level of critical evaluation.

da

Grade B- to B+:

Clear understanding and thorough knowledge of the key concepts, with evidence of reading around the subject. Good ability to integrate the multidisciplinary subject matter. Good understanding and ability to critically evaluate the subject matter. High standard of presentation.

ardderchog

Grade A- to A**:

Excellent understanding, wide and thorough knowledge of the key concepts. Evidence of significant wider reading, with appreciation of recent research developments and creative potential to develop research ideas. Excellent ability to integrate multidisciplinary subject matter. Detailed understanding and explanation of concepts and principles. Critical evaluation, with well-reasoned opinion. Elegant and flowing presentation, with flair for the subject.

Canlyniad dysgu

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key concepts governing fluvial behaviour in a catchment. Understand the concepts and principles which govern marine sedimentary environments (ES 3.3.4.1)

  2. Explain the features of ancient and modern braided and meandering river systems and sedimentary sequences.

  3. Understand the long-term dynamics of river systems and the controls operating within fluvial systems, and be able to comprehensively discuss how these condition river response to environmental change.

  4. Understand how an interdisciplinary approach is needed to understand the nature of sediment deposits (ES 3.2.1.1)

  5. Synthesise and summarise interdisciplinary information critically (ES 3.3.4.2), and critically analyse the literature.

  6. Reconstruct ancient sediment environments using data gathered through field observation

  7. Understand physical and key biological controls of sedimentation in coastal and shelf seas, and deep sea environments, and the temporal and spatial scales of variation, and anthropogenic impacts (ES 3.2.1.2)

Dulliau asesu

Math Enw Disgrifiad Pwysau
Graduate-level Task 40.00

Strategaeth addysgu a dysgu

Oriau
Private study

Students will undertake both direct learning and private study so that they engage with the core literature. Students should use some of the time to perpare for workshops, practicals and assessments.

135
Lecture

Lecture-based learning to deliver the core concepts and theories in this subject.

 30
Fieldwork

2 day field course to the Aberystwyth area to take a source to sink approach, and ancient to comptemporary viewpoint in terms of rivers, coasts and oceans.

 16
Practical classes and workshops

Practical sessions to work on key aspects of the module.

15
Workshop

Drop-in workshop sessions to help address any problems with learning or assessments within the module.

 4

Sgiliau Trosglwyddadwy

  • Llythrennedd - Medrusrwydd mewn darllen ac ysgrifennu drwy amrywiaeth o gyfryngau
  • Rhifedd - Medrusrwydd wrth ddefnyddio rhifau ar lefelau priodol o gywirdeb
  • Defnyddio cyfrifiaduron - Medrusrwydd wrth ddefnyddio ystod o feddalwedd cyfrifiadurol
  • Hunanreolaeth - Gallu gweithio mewn ffordd effeithlon, prydlon a threfnus. Gallu edrych ar ganlyniadau tasgau a digwyddiadau, a barnu lefelau o ansawdd a phwysigrwydd
  • Archwilio - Gallu ymchwilio ac ystyried dewisiadau eraill
  • Adalw gwybodaeth - Gallu mynd at wahanol ac amrywiol ffynonellau gwybodaeth
  • Sgiliau Rhyngbersonol - Gallu gofyn cwestiynau, gwrando'n astud ar atebion a'u harchwilio
  • Dadansoddi Beirniadol & Datrys Problem - Gallu dadelfennu a dadansoddi problemau neu sefyllfaoedd cymhleth. Gallu canfod atebion i broblemau drwy ddadansoddiadau ac archwilio posibiliadau
  • Rheloaeth - Gallu defnyddio, cydlynu a rheoli adnoddau (dynol, ffisegol ac/neu ariannol)
  • Dadl - Gallu cyflwyno, trafod a chyfiawnhau barn neu lwybr gweithredu, naill ai gydag unigolyn neu mewn grwˆp ehangach
  • Hunanymwybyddiaeth & Ystyried - Bod yn ymwybodol o'ch cryfderau, gwendidau, nodau ac amcanion eich hun. Gallu adolygu ,cloriannu a myfyrio'n rheolaidd ar eich perfformiad eich hun ac eraill.
  • Arweinyddiaeth - Gallu arwain a rheoli, datblygu cynlluniau gweithredu ac amcanion, cynnig arweiniad a chyfarwyddyd i eraill, ac ymdopi â'r pwysau sy'n gysylltiedig ag awdurdod o'r fath

Sgiliau pwnc penodol

  • Demonstrate awareness of the importance of risk assessment and relevant legislation
  • Conduct fieldwork and/or laboratory work competently with awareness of appropriate risk assessment and ethical considerations
  • Consider issues from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives.
  • Collect, analyse and interpret primary and/or secondary data using appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative techniques.
  • Apply appropriate techniques for presenting spatial and/or temporal trends in data.
  • Prepare effective maps, diagrams and visualizations.
  • Undertake field and/or laboratory studies to ensure competence in basic experimental and/or fieldwork skills.
  • Engagement with current subject developments and their application.
  • Engage in debate and/or discussion with specialists and non-specialists using appropriate language.
  • Demonstrate the independence and skills required for continuing professional development

Adnoddau

Goblygiadau o ran adnoddau ar gyfer myfyrwyr

Students are not expected to purchase any of the texts.

Rhestr ddarllen

The majority of the reading for this module is journal-based, but to provide some useful background the following texts are suggested:

Benito, G., Baker, V.R., Gregory, K.J., 1998. Palaeohydrology and Environmental Change. Wiley, Chichester. Bridge, J.S. 2003. Rivers and Floodplains: forms, processes and sedimentary record. Blackwell, Oxford. Charlton, R. 2008. Fundamentals of Fluvial Geomorphology. Routledge, London. Dronkers J.J., 2005. Dynamics of coastal systems, Hackensack, N.J.: World Scientific. Gregory, K.J., Benito, G. 2004. Palaeohydrology: understanding global change. Wiley, Chichester. Gregory, K.J., Starkek, L., Baker, V.R., 1995. Global Continental Palaeohydrology. Wiley, Chichester. Haslett, S.K. 2008. Coastal systems, New York, NY: Routledge. Leeder, M., 2011. Sedimentology and sedimentary basins: from turbulence to tectonics. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester. Masselink G. & Gehrels W.R. eds., 2014. Coastal environments and global change, Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Masselink G., Hughes M.G. & Knight J., 2011. Introduction to coastal processes & geomorphology, London: Hodder Education. Miall, A.D. 1996. The Geology of fluvial deposits: Sedimentary Facies, Basin Analysis, and Petroleum Geology. Springer, Switzerland. Miall, A.D., 2013. Fluvial Depositonal Systems. Springer, Switzerland. Reading, H.G. 1996. Sedimentary Environments: Processes, Facies and Stratigraphy. Blackwell, Oxford.

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