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Efficient Long-Term Modelling of Nature-based Solutions for Estuarine Salt Intrusion

The research title is quite the mouthful, as it combines the various aspects of my work. One key aspect is modelling development of nature-based solutions within estuaries. Namely, I will study how natural systems develop and how that impacts the development of an entire estuary. Hereby I focus on wetlands (e.g. salt marshes) and large-scale bedforms at the channel bed (estuarine sand dunes). By first looking at the development of these systems, the next step is to study how this development influences salt-intrusion. Namely, nature-based solutions impose a roughness on the motion of water, due to which they affect intrusion of saltwater. Since these nature-based solutions develop over time, they might adapt to a changing climate. Hence, they may provide a resilient way to reduce salt intrusion problems in the long-term.

Efficient modelling will be a fundamental part of my work. I will test and apply tools and frameworks to reduce computational efforts when modelling. The goal hereof is to be able to assess the impact and potential of nature-based solutions, on the scale of an entire estuary, for the present and under a changing climate. This way, we hope to aid in making scientific models more suitable for practical applications, and also help policymakers when designing sustainable nature-based solutions to overcome salt intrusion, till the next century.

My journey as an engineer started at the University of Twente started with a Bachelor in Civil Engineering, which brought about my interest in the water sector. My studies continued with a Master in River and Coastal engineering, also in Twente. By doing my graduation assignment on “Modelling Consequences of Artificial Structures on Salt Marsh Dynamics in the Wadden Sea” at HKV-a great educational experience- I graduated at the end of 2019.

During this thesis, I was confronted with the question if doing a PhD would interest me. From that point on a ball started rolling, and a few months after I finished my thesis, I got the fortunate call that I could start as a PhD-Candidate for the SALTISolutions research program. During my research, I will work together with Trang Minh Duong and Bas Borsje, my supervisors, and Suzanne Hulscher as promoter, at the Marine and Fluvial Systems group of the University of Twente.