SEDLOB and PATLOB: Two Numerical Tools for Modeling
Climatically-Forced Sediment and Water Volume Transport
in Large Ocean Basins
B. J. Haupt, K. Stattegger and D. Seidov
1
Introduction
The processes of sediment erosion, transport and deposition in large ocean basins depend strongly on sediment input from various sources and on oceanic
circulation patterns. Most sedimentation models developed during the last decade are designed for small basins and specific sediment input simulating alluvial
or deltaic basin fill (cf. Bitzer and Pflug 1989; Cao and Lerche 1994; Paola et al.
1992; Slingerland et al. 1994; Syvitzki and Daughney 1992; Tetzlaff and
Harbaugh 1989). In order to simulate large basins we need to couple an ocean
general circulation model (OGCM) with an sedimentation model.
Oceanic thermohaline circulation is controlled mainly by the morphology of
a basin and by climate. Given a specific steady-state oceanic circulation pattern
from an OGCM with its temperature, salinity, velocity fields and convection
depths, one can add sediment characterized by its physical properties to the circulating water volumes. The proper representation of important topographic
features depends on the spatial resolution of the model basin.
With respect to sediments, a numerical model should allow simulation of:
1. sediment distribution patterns on the sea floor, especially accumulation and
erosion of sediments integrated over time intervals long enough to represent
the stratigraphic architecture; and
2. transport paths of water volumes and defined sediment particles from prescribed sources.
Two numerical models, SEDLOB (SEDimentation in Large Ocean Basins) and
PATLOB (PArticle Tracing in Large Ocean Basins) were developed for this purpose. Especially PATLOB is a useful tool to address both sedimentation and deep
ocean ventilation problems. In this chapter, the structure and most important
algorithms of these models are described and applied to the modern North Atlantic. Earlier versions of the models can be found in Haupt (1995) and Haupt et
al. (1994, 1995).
Climatically-Forced Sediment and Water Volume Transport
in Large Ocean Basins
B. J. Haupt, K. Stattegger and D. Seidov
1
Introduction
The processes of sediment erosion, transport and deposition in large ocean basins depend strongly on sediment input from various sources and on oceanic
circulation patterns. Most sedimentation models developed during the last decade are designed for small basins and specific sediment input simulating alluvial
or deltaic basin fill (cf. Bitzer and Pflug 1989; Cao and Lerche 1994; Paola et al.
1992; Slingerland et al. 1994; Syvitzki and Daughney 1992; Tetzlaff and
Harbaugh 1989). In order to simulate large basins we need to couple an ocean
general circulation model (OGCM) with an sedimentation model.
Oceanic thermohaline circulation is controlled mainly by the morphology of
a basin and by climate. Given a specific steady-state oceanic circulation pattern
from an OGCM with its temperature, salinity, velocity fields and convection
depths, one can add sediment characterized by its physical properties to the circulating water volumes. The proper representation of important topographic
features depends on the spatial resolution of the model basin.
With respect to sediments, a numerical model should allow simulation of:
1. sediment distribution patterns on the sea floor, especially accumulation and
erosion of sediments integrated over time intervals long enough to represent
the stratigraphic architecture; and
2. transport paths of water volumes and defined sediment particles from prescribed sources.
Two numerical models, SEDLOB (SEDimentation in Large Ocean Basins) and
PATLOB (PArticle Tracing in Large Ocean Basins) were developed for this purpose. Especially PATLOB is a useful tool to address both sedimentation and deep
ocean ventilation problems. In this chapter, the structure and most important
algorithms of these models are described and applied to the modern North Atlantic. Earlier versions of the models can be found in Haupt (1995) and Haupt et
al. (1994, 1995).