Current Post: Lecturer in Coastal Physical Processes

Room Number: 3.15

Telephone: 01603 593124 (+44 1603 593124)

Fax: 01603 591327 (+44 1603 591327)

Email: t.tolhurst@uea.ac.uk

Publications: EPrints Digital Repository

Posts of Special Responsibility:

• Web Development
• Library Liaison/Library Committee

PhD Studentships Available Biotic and abiotic mediation of the erosion of intertidal sediments under combined flows

Biography

My research is multidisciplinary and field based, using coastal habitats such as mangrove forests and mudflats as model systems for investigating and answering sedimentological and ecological questions. I am particularly interested in the complex physical, biological and chemical interactions that drive sedimentary (and ecological) properties and processes. There are 2 main themes to my research:

1) The mediation of coastal dynamics by complex interactions between physical, biological and chemical components

This research investigates physical, biological and chemical properties and processes and how these are mediated by a complex interaction between the components of coastal habitats. This is achieved by using a multidisciplinary approach that combines techniques from numerous disciplines, including: sedimentology, ecology, oceanography, remote sensing etc. Intertidal mudflats, salt marshes and mangrove forests are particularly suited to investigating these types of questions, because of the unusually intimate association between the organisms (micro-algae and macrofauna) and their habitat (the sediment) and the extent to which the organisms modify the sediments they inhabit. They are also under particular threat from global climatic change and sea level rise and are thus considered to be indicator habitats for climate change.

This research has practical applications, for example I have been involved in assessment of the Tollesbury UK managed realignment scheme and the Scotts Park saltmarsh restoration project in Botany Bay, Australia.

Investigating the influence of biota on sedimentary properties and processes not only addresses fundamental sedimentological and ecological questions, but is vital for developing models of sediment dynamics, understanding ecosystem services and for managing coastal habitats.

2) Methodological and technological advances and applications

The second main theme of my research is the development and application of novel methodologies and technologies to facilitate my research. My extensive tests and calibrations of erosion devices have led to new experimental approaches that have improved the accuracy of these measurements. I calibrated the new Cohesive Strength Meter device for measuring sediment erosion (based on the original design of Paterson 1989). This device is now commercially produced by ParTrac, UK.

I am currently collaborating with Dr R. Murphy to develop new remote sensing techniques for measuring algae in intertidal sediments (which are key to the biotic mediation of sedimentary processes in these habitats), using colour-infrared photography and new derivative based approaches to spectroradiometry.


Significant Publications

• Tolhurst T.J., Black K.S., Shayler S.A., Mather S., Black I., Baker K. and Paterson D.M. (1999) Measuring the in situ erosion shear stress of intertidal sediments with the Cohesive Strength Meter (CSM). Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 49: 281-294.
• Tolhurst T.J., Black K.S., Paterson D.M., Mitchener H., Termaat R. and Shayler S.A. (2000) A comparison and measurement standardisation of four in situ devices for determining the erosion shear stress of intertidal sediments. Continental Shelf Research 20: 1397-1418.

• Black, K.S., Tolhurst, T.J., Hagerthey, S.E., and Paterson, D.M., (2002) Working with Natural Cohesive Sediments. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, January, Vol. 128 (1), 2-8.

• Tolhurst, T.J., Jesus, B., Brotas, V. and Paterson D. M. (2003) Diatom migration and sediment armouring – an example from the Tagus Estuary, Portugal. Hydrobiologia 503, 183-193.

• Murphy, R.J., Tolhurst, T.J., Chapman, G. and Underwood, A.J. (2004) Estimation of surface chlorophyll on an exposed mudflat using digital colour-infrared (CIR) photography. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 59, 625-638.

• Tolhurst, T.J., Underwood, A.J., Perkins, R.G. and Chapman, M.G. (2005) Content versus concentration: Effects of units on measuring the biogeochemical properties of soft sediments. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 63, 665-673.

Page last updated 9 December 2011