Implications of nature-based solutions for port logistics (SALTISolutions):Freshwater supply is essential for human health and well-being, for ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems, and for economic interests. However, increasing salt intrusion caused by human alterations of estuaries and deltas, increased freshwater demand, and climate change (sea level rise and increasing longer periods of drought) threatens freshwater availability in deltas.An integrated and optimized societal response to these salt intrusion challenges is required and demands actions on several time scales. Research Programme, SALTISolutions will facilitate this reaction by delivering the VirtualDelta, a digital twin of a real Delta, as management and design instrument for salt-intrusion related questions in deltas worldwide.One of the projects within this research programme (which this PhD is part of) is to design cost-effective, environmentally-friendly, nature-based (‘green’) solutions to counteract salt intrusion through the delta, and to evaluate and optimise the functioning of these, as well as for existing engineering ('grey') solutions.Basically, we can identify two systems within the delta: a system having an open connection with the sea (e.g. New Waterway), and one with a closed connection (e.g. sluice complex of IJmuiden). For both systems, the goal of this PhD is to limit salt intrusion, but simultaneously limit the implications for port logistics (and ecology). Examples of such implications are: reduced vessel manoeuvrability, limited traffic flow, and increasing dredging volumes.The implications act on two spatial scales: near-field (the vicinity of the measure) and far-field (the area behind the measure); both which are interrelated. A huge challenge is to adequately model both scales independently, but simultaneously to combine the scales such that the interrelations can be accounted for.

Research on the detailed prediction of siltation rates in a trench in the Scheldt Estuary near Antwerp to accomodate for an immersed tunnel

Research on the dispersal of dredging plumes on the Pulau Tekong Polder Construction Project of the Boskalis Penta Ocean Joint Venture

Research on the detailed prediction of siltation rates in a trench in the Scheldt Estuary near Antwerp to accomodate for an immersed tunnel