Morphological characteristics of laboratory generated tidal networks

In this paper we present the first results of a series of laboratory experiments carried out in a large experimental apparatus, aimed at reproducing a typical lagoonal environment subject to tidal forcings. We observed the growth and development of a tidal network and analyzed its most relevant features, taking into account the role played by the characteristics of the tidal forcings in driving the development of channelized patterns. Such experiments were designed in order to improve our understanding of the main processes responsible for channel network ontogeny and evolution. Mathematical and theoretical analyses of network configurations were also carried out through the use of simplified and complete morphodynamic models. In particular, we analyzed the evolution in time of the morphometric characteristics of the developed networks, and studied the hydrodynamics and sediment transport processes related to different channel configurations. The evolution of channel cross-sectional areas, width-to-depth ratios, and unchanneled flow lengths shows that relevant features of actual tidal networks are reproduced by the tidal patterns developed within our laboratory experiments.