The MECO hydrodynamic model (MECO Technical Report No. OMR-118/120, CSIRO Marine Research, 1998) was adapted for the Torres Strait-Gulf of Papua region at 0.05°resolution. Validation of the hydrodynamic model was carried out against observed current meter data and calculated tidal sea levels. Dispersal pathways of sediments derived from the Fly River, and from a resuspension event along the northern Great Barrier Reef were investigated using an Eulerian approach. Sediment input into Torres Strait is found to be greater during the Trade season by approximately 10%. Wave data were also obtained, and together with hydrodynamic model output, sediment mobility due to currents, waves and wave-current interactions was considered for both the Trade and Monsoon seasons. Sediment mobility in the Gulf of Papua is dominated by wave motion, whereas Torres Strait is a mixed environment of waves and tidal currents. © 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Earth Sciences
Research Group:	Geology
Research Field:	Sedimentology
Objective Division:	Environmental Management
Objective Group:	Marine systems and management
Objective Field:	Oceanic processes (excl. in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean)
UTAS Author:	Hemer, M (Dr Mark Hemer)
UTAS Author:	Coleman, R (Professor Richard Coleman)
UTAS Author:	Hunter, JR (Dr John Hunter)
ID Code:	31654
Year Published:	2004
Web of Science® Times Cited:	41
Deposited By:	IASOS
Deposited On:	2004-08-01
Last Modified:	2005-06-06
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