Dr Martin Austin
Senior Lecturer in Ocean Sciences
Office: 211 Marine Centre Wales Phone: 01248 382803
Email: m.austin@bangor.ac.uk
Web: Google Scholar ResearchGate ORCID
Twitter: @mart_austin
I graduated from Plymouth University in 2002 with a BSc in Ocean Science and completed my PhD in gravel beach morphodynamics at Loughborough University in 2005. I have subsequently been a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at: Plymouth University (2005 - 2007, Cross-shore sediment transport on sandy beaches); Loughborough University (2007, Dust generation on an Arctic pro-glacial flood plain); before returning once again to Plymouth (2007 - 2010, Impacts of offshore wave energy arrays on seabed and shoreline processes; and 2010 - 2013, Dynamics of rip currents and implication for beach safety).
I am an observational oceanographer and specialise in the hydro- and morpho-dynamics of the inter-tidal and shallow sub-tidal regions of the coastal ocean. My present research at Bangor includes:
- The dynamics of large-scale turbulent motions in tidally energetic regions. This EPSRC- and NRN-funded work seeks to quantify large-scale turbulent motions and assess the impacts on tidal energy extraction and infrastructure. Observational field experiments are being undertaken in the Menai Strait and around north Wales, and include industry collaborators from UK, Europe and the USA.
- WASP - Waves Across Shore Platforms. EPSRC-funded grant investigating wave attenuation processes across rocky shore platforms at multiple sites across the UK and New Zealand to produce a new numerical modelling tool.
- Nearshore inter- to sub-tidal sediment exchange caused by the interaction of wave-driven nearshore currents, tidal currents and cross-shelf currents. This is linked to the Crown Estates Anglesey Tidal Test Site, with particular interest in nearshore sub-sea cable pathways, and encompasses field measurements of the full water column velocity, turbulence and sediment profiles. Autonomous Coastal Observatory buoy units are being deployed to support this work in spring 2018.
Research Areas
Qualifications
- Swash-groundwater interactions on a natural gravel beach PhD (Loughborough University)
- Ocean Sciences BSc (University of Plymouth)
Teaching and Supervision
PhD Students
- Natasha Lucas
- Alex Virod
Masters Teaching
I offer both MSc and MSci research projects on shallow water physical oceanography and sediment dynamics processes, and contribute to several taught MSc modules.
Undergraduate Teaching
I am the progarmme organiser for the BSC Geological Oceanography degree and am the module organiser for ONS-1001 and OSX-3006, and contribute to OSX-1000, OSX-2000, OSX-2004, DXX-2007, OSX-3000, OSX-3007, and DXX-3018.
PhD Opportunities
I have a range of research interests in which PhD projects could be developed. Please contact me by email in the first instance regarding any of the following areas: Nearshore hydro- and morphodynamics; coastal evolution and storm impacts; physics of sediment transport; nearshore observational oceanography
Publications
2018
- The role of bed roughness in wave transformation across sloping rock shore platformsPoate, TG, Masselink, G, Austin, M, Dickson, M & McCall, RT 2018, 'The role of bed roughness in wave transformation across sloping rock shore platforms' Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, vol. 123, no. 1, pp. 97-123. DOI: 10.1002/2017JF004277
2017
- Grain size selection in seagrass bedsConley, D, Austin, M, Davidson, I, Buscombe, D & Masselink, G 2017, 'Grain size selection in seagrass beds' Paper presented at Coastal Dynamics 2017, Helsingør, Denmark, 12/06/17 - 16/06/17, .
- Modelling incident-band and infra gravity wave dynamics on rocky shore platformsMcCall, RT, Masselink, G, Austin, M, Poate, T & Jager, T 2017, 'Modelling incident-band and infra gravity wave dynamics on rocky shore platforms' Paper presented at Coastal Dynamics 2017, Helsingør, Denmark, 12/06/17 - 16/06/17, pp. 1658-1669.
2016
- Rip currents are a natural hazard along our coasts - here's how to spot themAustin, M 2016, 'Rip currents are a natural hazard along our coasts - here's how to spot them' The Conversation.
- Boundary layer dynamics in the swash zone under large-scale laboratory conditionsRuju, A, Conley, D, Masselink, G, Austin, MJ, Puleo, J, Lanckriet, T & Foster, D 2016, 'Boundary layer dynamics in the swash zone under large-scale laboratory conditions' Coastal Engineering, vol. 113, no. July, pp. 47-61. DOI: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2015.08.001
- Groundwater fluxes and flow paths within coastal barriers: Observations from a large-scale laboratory experiment (BARDEX II)Turner, IL, Rau, GC, Austin, MJ & Andersen, MS 2016, 'Groundwater fluxes and flow paths within coastal barriers: Observations from a large-scale laboratory experiment (BARDEX II)' Coastal Engineering, vol. 113, pp. 104-116. DOI: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2015.08.004
2015
- Dynamics of rip currents associated with groynes — field measurements, modelling and implications for beach safetyScott, T, Austin, MJ, Masselink, G & Russell, P 2015, 'Dynamics of rip currents associated with groynes — field measurements, modelling and implications for beach safety' Coastal Engineering, vol. 107, pp. 53-69. DOI: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2015.09.013
2014
- Role of wave forcing, storms and NAO in outer bar dynamics on a high-energy, macro-tidal beachMasselink, G, Austin, MJ, Scott, T, Poate, T & Russell, P 2014, 'Role of wave forcing, storms and NAO in outer bar dynamics on a high-energy, macro-tidal beach' Geomorphology, vol. 226, pp. 76-93. DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2014.07.025
- Morphodynamic variability of high-energy macrotidal beaches, Cornwall, UKPoate, T, Masselink, G, Russell, P & Austin, M 2014, 'Morphodynamic variability of high-energy macrotidal beaches, Cornwall, UK' Marine Geology, vol. 350, pp. 97-111. DOI: 10.1016/j.margeo.2014.02.004
- Controls on macrotidal rip current circulation and hazardScott, T, Masselink, G, Austin, MJ & Russell, P 2014, 'Controls on macrotidal rip current circulation and hazard' Geomorphology, vol. 214. DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2014.02.005
2013
- Water-level controls on macro-tidal rip currentsAustin, MJ, Masselink, G, Scott, TM & Russell, PE 2013, 'Water-level controls on macro-tidal rip currents' Continental Shelf Research, vol. 75, pp. 28-40. DOI: 10.1016/j.csr.2013.12.004
- Rip Current PredictionAustin, MJ, Scott, TM, Russell, PE & Masselink, G 2013, 'Rip Current Prediction: Development, Validation, and Evaluation of an Operational Tool' Journal of Coastal Research, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 283-300. DOI: 10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-12-00093.1
- Groundwater dynamics in coastal gravel barriers backed by freshwater lagoons and the potential for saline intrusionAustin, MJ, Masselink, G, McCall, RT & Poate, TG 2013, 'Groundwater dynamics in coastal gravel barriers backed by freshwater lagoons and the potential for saline intrusion: Two cases from the UK' Journal of Marine Systems, vol. 123-124, pp. 19-32. DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2013.04.004
- Coastal sand barrier hydrology - observations from the BARDEX II prototype-scale laboratory experimentTurner, IL, Rau, GC, Andersen, MS, Austin, MJ, Puleo, JA & Masselink, G 2013, 'Coastal sand barrier hydrology - observations from the BARDEX II prototype-scale laboratory experiment' Journal of Coastal Research, vol. 65, no. S2, pp. 1886-1891. DOI: 10.2112/SI65-319.1
2011
- Alongshore fluid motions in the swash zone of a sandy and gravel beachAustin, MJ, Masselink, G, Russell, PE, Turner, IL & Blenkinsopp, CE 2011, 'Alongshore fluid motions in the swash zone of a sandy and gravel beach' Coastal Engineering, vol. 58, no. 8, pp. 690-705. DOI: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2011.03.004
- Dust generation on a proglacial floodplain, West GreenlandBullard, JE & Austin, MJ 2011, 'Dust generation on a proglacial floodplain, West Greenland' Aeolian Research, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 43-54. DOI: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2011.01.002
- Rip current hazards on large-tidal beaches in the United KingdomScott, TM, Russell, PE, Masselink, G, Austin, MJ, Wills, S & Wooler, A 2011, Rip current hazards on large-tidal beaches in the United Kingdom. in S Leatherman & J Fletemeyer (eds), Rip Currents: Beach Safety, Physical Oceanogaphy, and Wave Modeling. CRC Press, pp. 225-242.
2010
- Temporal observations of rip current circulation on a macro-tidal beachAustin, M, Scott, T, Brown, J, Brown, J, MacMahan, J, Russell, PE & Masselink, G 2010, 'Temporal observations of rip current circulation on a macro-tidal beach' Continental Shelf Research, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1149-1165. DOI: 10.1016/j.csr.2010.03.005
- Mean Lagrangian flow behavior on an open coast rip-channeled beach: A new perspectiveMacMahan, J, Brown, J, Brown, J, Thornton, E, Reniers, A, Stanton, T, Henriquez, M, Gallagher, E, Morrison, J, Austin, MJ, Scott, T & Senechal, N 2010, 'Mean Lagrangian flow behavior on an open coast rip-channeled beach: A new perspective' Marine Geology, vol. 268, no. 1-4, pp. 1-15. DOI: 10.1016/j.margeo.2009.09.011
2009
- Onshore sediment transport on a sandy beach under varied wave conditionsAustin, M, Masselink, G, O'Hare, T & Russell, PE 2009, 'Onshore sediment transport on a sandy beach under varied wave conditions: Flow velocity skewness, wave asymmetry or bed ventilation?' Marine Geology, vol. 259, no. 1-4, pp. 86-101. DOI: 10.1016/j.margeo.2009.01.001
- Macrotidal rip current experiment : circulation and dynamicsAustin, MJ, Scott, TM, Brown, JW, Brown, JA & Macmahan, JH 2009, 'Macrotidal rip current experiment : circulation and dynamics' Journal of Coastal Research, vol. 2009, no. 56, pp. 24-28.
2008
- Cross-shore sediment transport and morphological response on a macrotidal beach with intertidal bar morphology, Truc Vert, FranceMasselink, G, Austin, M, Tinker, J, O'Hare, T & Russell, PE 2008, 'Cross-shore sediment transport and morphological response on a macrotidal beach with intertidal bar morphology, Truc Vert, France' Marine Geology, vol. 251, no. 3-4, pp. 141-155. DOI: 10.1016/j.margeo.2008.01.010
- Morphological change and sediment dynamics of the beach step on a macrotidal gravel beachAustin, MJ & Buscombe, D 2008, 'Morphological change and sediment dynamics of the beach step on a macrotidal gravel beach' Marine Geology, vol. 249, no. 3-4, pp. 167-183. DOI: 10.1016/j.margeo.2007.11.008
- The effect of bedform dynamics on computing suspended sediment fluxes using optical backscatter sensors and current metersAustin, MJ & Masselink, G 2008, 'The effect of bedform dynamics on computing suspended sediment fluxes using optical backscatter sensors and current meters' Coastal Engineering, vol. 55, no. 3, pp. 251-260. DOI: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2007.10.003
2007
- Sediment trend models fail to reproduce small-scale sediment transport patterns on an intertidal beachMasselink, G, Buscombe, D, Austin, M, O'Hare, T & Russell, P 2007, 'Sediment trend models fail to reproduce small-scale sediment transport patterns on an intertidal beach' Sedimentology, vol. 55, no. 3, pp. 667-687. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3091.2007.00917.x
- Geometry and dynamics of wave ripples in the nearshore zone of a coarse sandy beachMasselink, G, Austin, MJ, O'Hare, TJ & Russell, PE 2007, 'Geometry and dynamics of wave ripples in the nearshore zone of a coarse sandy beach' Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 112, no. C10. DOI: 10.1029/2006JC003839
- Relaxation time effects of wave ripples on tidal beachesAustin, MJ, Masselink, G, O'Hare, T & Russell, PE 2007, 'Relaxation time effects of wave ripples on tidal beaches' Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 34, no. 16, pp. 1-5. DOI: 10.1029/2007GL030696
2006
- Swash-groundwater interaction on a steep gravel beachAustin, MJ & Masselink, G 2006, 'Swash-groundwater interaction on a steep gravel beach' Continental Shelf Research, vol. 26, no. 20, pp. 2503-2519. DOI: 10.1016/j.csr.2006.07.031
- Observations of morphological change and sediment transport on a steep gravel beachAustin, MJ & Masselink, G 2006, 'Observations of morphological change and sediment transport on a steep gravel beach' Marine Geology, vol. 229, no. 1-2, pp. 59-77. DOI: 10.1016/j.margeo.2006.02.003