About

The Arctic as a region is exposed to natural hazards and it is particularly sensitive to global climate changes. The evolution of Arctic coast is already strongly influenced by the effects of global warming and its imminent degradation is expected to become gradually more rapid over next decade. Therefore conducting the research on the influence of waves on the permafrost is very important from both a scientific and a social point of view. The main objective of this project is to recognize all the physical processes that occur during the erosion of the Arctic shore including the sediment transport in near-shore areas. The analysis of the erosion will be performed by both numerical and physical modeling of impact of waves on permafrost shore. For theoretical calculations three-dimensional numerical models will be used. The estimation of permafrost vulnerability to climate changes can be achieved by full-scale experiments on the erosion of the costal permafrost caused by sea waves and thermal abrasion. All field measurements will be taken at measurement sites in Svalbard (Norway). A very important part of the project will concern experiments carried out in the hydraulic laboratory of IBW PAN, Gdansk Poland. Measured data sets recorded in field expeditions and obtained from experimental work will be used for validation of the numerical models but will also constitute a unique and very extensive data base. Within the project the assessment of vulnerability of the Arctic coast to climate changes will be performed. The review of regional impacts of climate change can be helpful in future studies of possible strategies for Arctic regions and in developing decision-support framework to provide policymaker with instructions how to supervise Arctic coast protection.

Objectives

The main objectives of the project are :

• to recognize all the physical processes that occur during the erosion of the Arctic shore including the sediment transport in near-shore areas,
• to build models appropriate for Arctic conditions and make predictions as accurate as possible,
• to assess vulnerability of Arctic coast to climate change,
• to point out appropriate methods of shore protection,
• to analyze the stability of sea bed under a structure,
• to perform numerical modeling of marine scour,
• to develop new methods and techniques of measurements in the laboratory flume,
• to create a map of erosion rate in Arctic

Workpackages

1. Project Coordination and Management
   WP Leader – Associate Professor Dr. Eng. Wojciech Sulisz
   • Task 1.1 Cross WP Coordination
   • Task 1.2 Web communication
   • Task 1.3 Project Partner Meetings
2. Initial/preliminary work
   WP Leader – Associate Professor Dr. Eng. Wojciech Sulisz
   • Task 2.1 Review and consolidation of existing knowledge and methods
   • Task 2.2 Determination of meteorological conditions and wave climate characteristics for the Arctic coast
   • Task 2.3 Selection of wave parameters for planned research – theory and laboratory experiments
   • Task 2.4 Preparation of Arctic expedition
3. Laboratory Experiments
   WP Leader – Assistant Professor Dr. Eng. Maciej Paprota
   • Task 3.1 Planning of laboratory experiments
   • Task 3.2 Hydraulic laboratory experiments including experiments with permafrost
   • Task 3.3 Analysis of experimental data
4. Field Measurements
   WP Leader – Associate Professor Dr. Eng. Marek Szmytkiewicz
   • Task 4.1 Planning of field measurements
   • Task 4.2 Field measurements at Spitsbergen and Svalbard
   • Task 4.3 Analysis of measured data sets
5. 3D Numerical Modeling of Marine Scour in Cold Climates
   WP Leader – Associate Professor Dr. Eng. Øivind Asgeir Arntsen
   • Task 5.1 Investigation of the flow physics and calculation of hydrodynamics around the structures in cold climates
   • Task 5.2 Calculation of local scour cases from the laboratory
   • Task 5.3 Testing and validation of the sediment transport algorithms for the conditions of the Arctic
   • Task 5.4 Improving the numerical model and implementation of new algorithms for marine scour for the conditions of the arctic, including the effect of ice on the sediment transport process
6. Assessment of Vulnerability of Arctic Coast to Climate Changes
   WP Leader – Assistant Professor Dr. Anna Reda
   • Task 6.1 Assessment of the impact of climate change on the Arctic coast
   • Task 6.2 Consultation of the project results with policymakers, stakeholders and end-users
7. Dissemination, Communication and Guidelines
   WP Leader – Associate Professor Dr. Ing. Øivind Asgeir Arntsen
   • Task 7.1 Dissemination of results
   • Task 7.2 Project Reporting