AGU Chapman Conference on Physics of Wave-Mud Interaction
Amelia Island, Florida, USA, 17–20 November 2008
Conveners
- Alexandru Sheremet, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Ashish J. Mehta, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
Program Committee and Their Areas of Expertise
- Alexandru Sheremet, (Nonlinear dissipative wave and wave dissipation mechanisms) Civil and Coastal Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville Florida, USA; Tel: +1-352-392-9537/1429
- Ashish J. Mehta, (Fine sediment transport and wave-mud interaction) Civil and Coastal Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA; Tel: +1-352-392-9537/1436
- Robert A. Dalrymple, (Water waves, nearshore hydrodynamics, coastal processes) Department of Civil Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Tel: +1-410-516-7923
- Johan Winterwerp, (Mud transport mechanics), Delft Hydraulics, Delft, The Netherlands; Tel: +31-15-285-8813
- Liviu Giosan, (Evolution of deltaic geology/morphology), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA; Tel: +1-508-289-2257
Sponsors
We wish to gratefully acknowledge the following sponsors for their generous support of this conference.


Introduction
A strong relationship exists in shallow seas between water waves, currents, and bed sediment processes. Although the importance of this connection and its consequences for associated technological development have been recognized for a long time, the development of a systematic approach to wave propagation over shallow muddy seabeds is quite recent. Considerable progress in modeling wave-mud interaction has been achieved since the pioneering quantitative assessment of wave damping due to fluid mud by Gade (1958). However, significant gaps still remain in our understanding of the basic related processes. A scientific compilation and full assessment of these gaps is essential for scoping work required to close these gaps. The purpose of this conference is to review the state-of-the-art in the physics of wave-mud interaction and related fluid mud processes, with a goal to establish a new framework to investigate wave-mud interaction.
Potential Session Topics and Scope
- Sediment Characterization: Efforts to Identify Parameters and Their Ranges Relevant to Wave-Mud Interaction
- Dissipation Mechanisms: Theoretical Formulations/Studies of Dissipation Mechanisms in Relation to Mud State
- Nonlinear Dissipative Waves: Studies of Nonlinear and Dissipative Wave Propagation
- Wave-Current-Sediment: Studies of Mud Transport that take into Account Wave Dissipation Effects
- Large Scale Processes: Mud Transport, Coastal Morphology, and Morphodynamics
- Field/Lab Experiments: Field and Lab Experiments Focused on Weave-current-sediment Interaction at all Scales
Conference Format and Topics
The conference will take place over 4 days with 3 days reserved for presentations, and the last day (morning) for wrap-up discussions. Presentation times will be 20 minutes, with 15 minutes for the oral presentation and 5 minutes for questions. Keynote lectures will be 40 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for questions and discussion. Each session will last 2 hours and 40 minutes. There will be two oral sessions each day. Poster sessions will run continuously throughout the conference.
Potential Cosponsors
The conveners are contacting the following agencies for financial assistance for student travel and other forms of appropriate conference support. Information on financial support for the conference will be updated as it becomes available.
- Office of Naval Research
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- National Science Foundation
Abstract Submissions
Abstract deadline has been extended to 31 August 2008
Abstract submission instructions (.doc) are available.
Registration Fee
Registration Deadline: 24 October 2008
Click here to register! Please submit forms via email as attachments to chapman-help@agu.org
Travel Support
Application Deadline: 8 August 2008
Travel support for the conference will depend on the fund-raising effort and commitments from the cosponsors. Updated information on financial assistance will be provided once available. Graduate students and young scientists will be given priority for financial assistance.
Accommodations
Housing Deadline: 17 October 2008
A block of rooms is being held at the Amelia Island Plantation, in Amelia Island, Florida. The hotel is offering conference participants sleeping rooms at the rate of $139 Resort View Room (Double Queen beds), and $159 Resort View — 1 Bedroom Suite (King bed).
Additionally, there is a mandatory resort fee of $10 per day. The resort fee includes: housekeeping gratuities, local and toll-free calls, high-speed internet access, transportation driver gratuities, unlimited on-property shuttle transportation, self-parking, unlimited use of the fitness center; 1 bucket of range balls; in-room coffee; 24/7 public safety staff. (Gratuities for bellman, golf attendants and valet parkers are at the guests’ discretion.)
Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at (888) 261-6165. At the time of reservation a two (2)-night deposit will be required to confirm the reservation. Deposits are refundable only if the reservation is cancelled seven (7) days prior to arrival. Be sure to mention the AGU Group Rate – 8B94JD, or ask for the AGU Chapman Conference. This special rate will only be available until 17 October 2008.
Program Schedule
The program schedule for the conference is now available. Please click here to view.
Further Information
If you have questions or would like to be placed on a mailing list (be sure to include the name of the meeting you are interested in), e-mail chapman-help@agu.org. For information on the scientific program, contact one of the conference conveners via e-mail: Alexandru Sheremet (alex@coastal.ufl.edu); Ashish J. Mehta (mehta@coastal.ufl.edu)

