The influence of bedforms on flow and sediment transport over intertidal mudflats

A range of bedforms of different types are found at a range of scales on in tertidal mudflats. The different types include (a) channels, creeks and gul lies, (b) ridge-runnel systems, (c) ripples and other micro-topography, and (d) cliffs. The main features of these bedform types are illustrated with examples found at a number of NW European mudflat sites studied during the EC INTRMUD project. Some comments are made on their environment of formatio n and observations of bed sediment properties and flow and suspended sedime nt processes are presented. Finally, the influence of bedforms on the hydro dynamics, shallow water tidal flow and wave propagation, and sediment proce sses are discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.