2007 Volume 23 Pages 507-512
This paper describes an integrated methodology to evaluate the tidal flat geoenvironments and its application to natural and artificial muddy flats. The proposed methodology enables quantitative assessment of the dynamics of thermal and geophysical environments that were found to vary significantly under given tidal and meteorological conditions. The temporal and spatial variations of suction, void state and surface shear strength of the artificial flat soils were particularly noteworthy, occasionally yielding unfavorable geophysical environments to benthos habitats. The present method may thus provide a rational basis for adaptive geoenvironmental management so as to facilitate the favorable performance of diverse benthos activity.
