2nd Sediment Dynamics Workshop 2015

In the presence of several large rivers (such as rivers of Changjiang, Huanghe and Zhujiang) that deliver a large amount of terrestrial sediment to the coastal oceans, China has one of the most turbid marine environment in the world along its muddy coasts and estuaries. These large estuaries and muddy coasts provide natural laboratories to study fine sediment dynamics. In addition, the nutrients and pollutants released from the large river catchments are delivered to and dispersed in the coastal seas by suspended sediments, thus a good understanding of sediment movements are essential to control pollution and preserve ecology of Chinese coastal marine systems. Over the past 50 years both the large river catchments and coasts have been greatly modified by extensive human activities including damming for power generation and irrigation, land reclamation and port construction. These rapid developments have altered both the flux of terrestrial materials to the sea and their transport processes in the coastal ocean, resulting in distinct physical, chemical and biological responses in the marine environment in the coastal oceans. Three major rivers across China, Huanghe (Yellow River), Changjiang (Yangtze River) and Zhujiang (Pearl River) have been illustrative examples of such modifications, and the environmental issues have presented challenges to the social and economical development of China. Therefore, research on sediment dynamics in muddy coasts and estuaries is in its urgent need. After the successful 1st Workshop on Sediment Dynamics on Chinese Muddy Coasts and Estuaries on 5-7 September, 2009 in Lijiang, Guilin of Guangxi Province, China, we would like to call the 2nd Workshop in order to 1) review the work progress since last workshop; 2) strengthen the network of coastal researchers including young scientists and encourage multi-disciplinary collaboration; 3) further identify issues and formulate key scientific questions and national/societal needs.