ABDULLA HUSSAIN RASHEED

PhD Student

Research Title: Resolving Sediment Budgets and Volumetric Fluxes in Coral Reef Islands
Research Group: Tropical Environmental Change (TEC)
Thesis Advisor: Prof Paul Kench

This PhD dissertation proposal focuses on understanding sediment dynamics in coral reef islands to better predict how these islands will respond to environmental and anthropogenic factors.

Coral reef islands are highly vulnerable to climate change and sea-level rise, and their complex sediment dynamics are central to their resilience. But these dynamics are currently not well understood. This research aims to address the knowledge gap regarding sediment production, transport, loss, and deposition processes in island-reef systems, by conducting high-resolution field data using drone-mounted Lidar, acoustic Doppler velocimeters, sediment traps, and wave and tide loggers to quantify sediment fluxes and temporal scales of change.

Process-based numerical modelling is also proposed to be carried out using the Delft3D Suite. The goal is to enable the development of sustainable coastal management practices and adaptation strategies.