Geological Survey

Description

The U.S. Geological Surveyâ¿¿s St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC) is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner to conduct research on wave and hydrodynamics processes over coral reefs, such as those along the northern Florida Reef Tract. The goals are to quantify the role these reefs play in the dissipation of surface wave energy, including wind waves, swell, and infragravity waves. In addition, objectives include quantifying the 3D hydrodynamic processes driving reef breakdown, and determining how loss of coral reef relative elevation due to reef breakdown and sea level rise will impact wave energy dissipation and, ultimately, the mainland coast. The suggested study site is Crocker Reef (a degrading reef), where the USGS has existing wave and circulation data, and experience modeling 3D circulation and waves. A deterministic numerical modeling approach that captures 3D circulation and waves, can be assessed against existing or new observations made at a degrading reef, and can incorporate past and future changes to reef elevations is strongly preferred.

Who can apply

• Others

Contact

Faith Graves 703-648-7356<br/>fgraves@usgs.gov<br/>
fgraves@usgs.gov