Tide-induced residual transport of fine sediment

A qualitative and quantitative analysis is presented of the net displacement of fine sediment in a homogeneous tidal basin. The transport dynamics, first pointed out by Postma some 30 years ago is based on the existence of an ebb-flood asymmetry in the cycle of sedimentation, resuspension and subsequent displacement by the tidal current. For a quantitative description of tide-induced residual sediment transport a one-dimensional tide-integrated analytical model is constructed. Some predictions based on the model are compared with experimental data.