Estuarine Bottom Sediment Transport Based on the ` McLaren Model : A Case Study of Huangmaohai Estuary, South China

Considering the effect of subaqueous morphodynamic units and bed forms on sediment transport, the present paper applies the McLaren model to calculate the sediment transport trends in Huangmaohai Estuary, South China. Good agreement is seen between the calculated sediment transport trends and the directions of sediment transport and observed hydrodynamics. The model results also identify sediment sources and sinks, determine sediment transport pathways and reveal some of the sediment transport mechanisms. Some comments on the proper applicability of the McLaren model in coastal environments with multiple sediment sources are also provided. All these will assist in an in-depth study of estuarine sediment movements and sediment fluxes. It also provides an effective and simple method to study sediment source and transport in navigational channels and harbours and pollutant transport in estuarine environments.